Week 4 of NFL free agency began with some sad news as Detroit Lions free agent John Cominsky announced his retirement from football. The 29-year-old defensive end reached the decision after injuries limited his availability throughout his professional career, including missing the entire 2024 campaign with a torn MCL.
A former Atlanta Falcons' fourth-round draft pick, Cominsky didn't make much noise until he was united with Lions head coach Dan Campbell before the 2022 season. On Tuesday, the 48-year-old HC commented on his former player's retirement announcement.
Lions HC Dan Campbell Reacts to John Cominsky's NFL Retirement
During the second day of the annual NFL league meetings, Campbell had nothing but kind words to say about Cominsky. Even though the veteran pass rusher only played 30 games with the Lions, it's clear that the NFL's latest retiree left a lasting impression on his former head coach.
"(Cominsky) was kind of the model of what we were early in this thing," Campbell said (h/t @E_Woodyard). "The value that he brought to us, the type of teammate he was, the type of player he was, that'll be missed."
#Lions HC Dan Campbell on DL John Cominsky’s retirement at 29: “He was kind of the model of what we were early in this thing. And the value that he brought to us, the type of teammate he was, the type of player that he was, that’ll be missed.” pic.twitter.com/0k3FIWj9jw
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) April 1, 2025
Campbell added that it's always unfortunate to see a player's career cut short due to injury. He also wished his ex-defender nothing but the best wherever his career takes him.
"I love him to death, man. He was the best," Campbell confessed about Cominsky. "A tough side of the game is the injuries."
Since making his NFL debut in 2019, Cominsky was only healthy enough to suit up in 57% of possible games. Unfortunately, last year's MCL tear was too much for him to overcome, prompting the former Charleston (WV) product to walk away from the league rather than endure another grueling rehab process.
"I am proud of the career I had, but have accumulated a combination of injuries that are overwhelming my desire to continue playing," Cominsky wrote in his retirement announcement.
With how the Lions HC talked about him, perhaps there'll be a spot on Campbell's coaching staff for Cominsky one day. Detroit's bench boss was once a player who became a coach after retiring at 33 years old, so if anyone can get Cominsky's foot in the coaching door, it's Campbell.
The ex-2019 fourth-rounder finishes his NFL career with 51 solo tackles, 7.5 sacks, six defended passes, and a forced fumble in 57 career games with most of that success coming after moving to the Motor City.
Even if his career didn't last that long, hopefully, Cominsky can enjoy the pain-free retirement he deserves.