C.J. Fiedorowicz Placed On Reserve/Retired List

This news should come as no surprise to Texans fans.

The future of C.J. Fiedorowicz—amid genuine concern for his well-being—has been a topic of discussion and speculation here at BRB for several months in the wake of the numerous concussions he suffered. It now appears that Fiedorowicz has decided he doesn’t want to risk any additional damage to his brain no matter how wealthy it might make him. I’m sure it was agonizing to weigh quitting something he presumably loved doing, something that earned him millions of dollars, against his quality of life five, ten, twenty, or fifty years from now. In my humble opinion, it’s a bold decision worthy of praise.

From the team’s perspective, less than a year after he signed a three-year extension to remain in Houston, CJF’s apparent decision to walk away from the game affects the Texans from a salary cap perspective:

Fiedorowicz has reduced his base salary to $790,000 for this season and was advanced $229,000 in salary, according to NFL Players Association records.

There was also a renegotiated $1.971 million signing bonus.

The final two years of the contract are no longer listed on the deal. He had been due base salaries of $5.25 million and $5.5 million in 2019 and 2020.

With the uncertainty surrounding Fiedorowicz’s future, the Texans were likely in the market for a tight end in free agency or the draft anyway. “Likely” has now become certainty.

Most importantly, best of luck to C.J. as he embarks upon a new chapter in his life. He joins a growing list of other players like Chris Borland who opted to quit playing at a young age due to health-related concerns.