Thirteen days after signing with the Atlanta Falcons last summer, defensive tackle Eddie Goldman retired.
He’s back on the team’s roster this offseason. But retirement is apparently still on the table for Goldman.
Falcons head coach Arthur Smith told the media on July 28 that the defensive tackle is dealing with some personal matters and may not return to the team. If he doesn’t return, Goldman will be retiring again.
“He looked phenomenal when he showed up the other day, but you never know what somebody is going through,” Smith said at his press conference after practice on Friday. “We’ll have a final answer by tomorrow.”
When asked if Goldman was contemplating retirement again, Smith said, “That’s a great possibility.”
It is not known what personal matter Goldman is dealing with in his life.
The Falcons announced signing the veteran defensive tackle on July 6 last year. But before 2022 training camp began, Goldman stepped away from the league and into retirement.
Smith shared with the media on July 28 that the Falcons allowed Goldman to return after he reached out about coming back this offseason. The Falcons reinstated the defensive tackle on March 21.
The Falcons have high hopes for the 29-year-old in the middle of their defensive line. However, he has played just 14 games over the past three seasons.
Goldman sat out the 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned to play 14 games, making 10 starts in 2021 for the Chicago Bears.
Then last offseason, he retired. The 29-year-old has yet to appear in an NFL game for another team besides the Bears.
Chicago drafted Goldman in the second round of the 2015 NFL draft. He started 12 games, recording a career-high 4.5 sacks as a rookie.
In six seasons with the Bears, the defensive tackle has posted 175 combined tackles, including 18 tackles for loss. He has also recorded 13 sacks, 21 quarterback hits, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 pass defense.
