After an impressive career spanning nine seasons and three different teams, NFL linebacker Markus Golden has decided to hang up his cleats. The Pittsburgh Steelers placed Golden on the reserve/retired list on Friday, marking the conclusion of his professional football journey. Golden's career began in 2015 when he was selected as the 58th overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL Draft.

During his time in the league, Golden played for the Cardinals for seven seasons, having standout performances as a pass-rushing specialist. In 2016, he recorded a career-high 12.5 sacks, showcasing his prowess on the field. After his tenure with the Cardinals, he spent two seasons with the New York Giants before joining the Steelers for his final year in 2021.

While with the Giants, Golden continued to impress, registering 10 sacks in 2019. However, in 2020, he was traded back to the Cardinals, where he added 11 more sacks to his career total. Overall, Golden amassed an impressive 51 sacks, 140 quarterback hits, and 343 tackles throughout his career. His contributions were not limited to sacks and tackles, as he also forced 11 fumbles and even scored a touchdown during his time on the field.

Golden's decision to retire comes as he looks ahead to the next chapter of his life. At 33 years old, he leaves behind a legacy of consistent performance as a pass-rushing force. Although he demonstrated his ability to generate pressure with four sacks in his stint with the Steelers last season, the team's deep pool of edge rushers would have posed a challenging competition for a roster spot.

As the curtain falls on Markus Golden's NFL career, fans and teammates alike will remember him as a talented and dedicated player. Golden's impact on multiple teams throughout his journey leaves a lasting impression in the league, and his contributions will be missed on the field.