The Mike DeVito era is over. After six years with the New York Jets and three years with the Kansas City, the veteran defensive end has called it a career. DeVito announced his retirement in the Bangor Daily News out of Maine.
The three years I spent in Kansas City were equally as amazing as the ones I spent in New York. I got to be around some of the greatest coaches and players I have ever met and play in front of the Chiefs Kingdom in the loudest stadium in the NFL. But there is one friendship that stands out. As I write I’m looking at the wall in my office of a picture of Derrick Johnson and I during a game in 2013, the year before we both tore our Achilles tendons. On the other side of that picture is a photo of us making a tackle together in our first game back, healthy in 2015. The brotherhood that was built through the two of us battling through adversity together, and the lessons I learned from one of the greatest leaders I have ever been around are priceless.
It was reported earlier this offseason that DeVito would be interested in coming back to the Chiefs. However, the Chiefs had the chance to sign him and didn't so I wonder if that signaled to DeVito this might be the time. I probably would have taken DeVito back on a part-time role because he did have some value as a run stuffer but it was clear that the road was ending soon.
Does this affect the Chiefs draft plans? Probably not. The Chiefs were planning for this. Dontari Poe, Allen Bailey and Jaye Howard remain the top three options while Nick Williams and Rakeem Nunez-Roches will be vying for time.
Make sure you read DeVito's full piece on his retirement. Congrats!