In a bittersweet and emotional turn of events, New York Jets quarterback Jordan Travis has officially announced his retirement from professional football—less than a year after being drafted and before ever playing a single NFL down.
Travis, 24, was selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 171st overall pick after a remarkable collegiate career at Florida State University. At the time of his draft, Travis was still recovering from a devastating left leg injury sustained in a November 2023 game against North Alabama—a game that, for all its promise, would ultimately be his last.
Despite an outpouring of hope and determination, Travis revealed on Wednesday via a handwritten note posted to his social media that his leg had not healed as hoped. After more than 17 months of grueling rehabilitation and medical consultations, the decision was made: he would step away from the game permanently.
“On November 18, 2023, my life took an unexpected turn,” he wrote. “I gave everything I had to the rehab process, but despite all my efforts, my leg never responded the way we hoped. After much prayer and consultation with the doctors, medical experts, and my agent, I’ve been medically advised to retire from the game I love so deeply.”
A College Career Worth Remembering
Travis’ journey to the NFL began long before the injury. A West Palm Beach native, he started his college football career at Louisville before transferring to Florida State. It was there he etched his name into Seminole history.
As a two-year starter, Travis went 28-10—ranking second all-time in wins by an FSU starting quarterback. He threw for 8,644 yards, 65 touchdowns, and only 19 interceptions across 46 games (38 starts). His dual-threat capabilities also helped him rack up 10,665 total yards and 99 career touchdowns, breaking several school records, including those held by former Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke.
One of his most memorable accomplishments? Becoming the first Florida State quarterback to defeat rival Miami three times. He also ended his collegiate career on a 17-game winning streak, propelling FSU to an 11-0 record before his career-ending injury.
Had it not been for the injury, many scouts believed Travis would have gone significantly higher in the draft. Even still, the Jets took a calculated risk, hoping his potential and work ethic would eventually return him to form.
A Promising NFL Path Cut Short
After being drafted, Travis participated in rookie minicamp and was placed on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list in July 2024. By August, he was moved to the reserve/not-football list, further indicating the team’s concerns about his recovery progress.
As weeks turned into months, questions swirled about his status. Coaches and executives stayed largely silent, and updates were few and far between. The tone, often vague or noncommittal, hinted at internal uncertainty.
Jets general manager Darren Mougey issued a statement acknowledging the decision:
“Jordan has informed us of his intent to retire due to the injury he sustained while at Florida State. It is unfortunate that he was unable to get back on the field after working so hard. We support his decision and wish him only the best.”
Behind-the-Scenes Tensions
The road to this announcement wasn’t without tension. In March, Travis’ agent, Deiric Jackson, publicly criticized the Jets’ handling of the rehab process. In an interview with ESPN, Jackson alleged that the team rushed Travis’ recovery and placed undue pressure on the coaching staff to accelerate his return.
“His rehab with the Jets was not the best,” Jackson said. “They tried to rush him. It was too fast… That caused the setback, and we had to shut him down completely.”
While Jackson did not elaborate on the specific nature of the setback, the remarks suggested a deeper conflict over the timeline and approach of Travis’ recovery. It’s worth noting that neither Mougey nor new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn were with the organization during the period Jackson referred to.
Regardless of what transpired behind closed doors, the outcome remains deeply unfortunate: a player with tremendous promise was never given the chance to realize his NFL dream.
A Heartfelt Goodbye
In his farewell letter, Travis took the time to express gratitude to the Jets and to the many supporters who stood by him.
“Thank you to the New York Jets for believing in me and providing me with the opportunity to live out the ultimate dream,” he wrote. “It is crazy how fast life can change. This is not the ending I had ever imagined, but I do trust the Lord’s plan above all else.”
— Jordan Travis (@jordantrav13) April 30, 2025
As Travis transitions into the next chapter of his life, the football world is left to reflect on a career filled with what-ifs. While his professional journey may have ended prematurely, his legacy as one of Florida State’s all-time greats remains untarnished—and the strength he showed in the face of adversity will surely inspire others beyond the gridiron.
