Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Eddie Goldman appears headed for retirement for the second time this year. The Falcons placed Goldman on the left squad exempt list on Sunday.
A 2015 second-round draft pick, Goldman played six seasons with the Chicago Bears. He earned a four-year, $42 million contract extension in 2018 but got released after the 2021 season.
He signed with the Falcons in 2022 but announced his retirement 13 days after signing in July.
In March, he came out of retirement. The Falcons added him to their active roster. He reported to training camp and looked good, according to Atlanta’s head coach Arthur Smith. But Smith noted Goldman is dealing with a personal matter and may not return to the team.
“He looked phenomenal when he showed up the other day, but you never know what somebody is going through,” Smith said, per Josh Kendall of The Athletic.
The Falcons signed defensive tackle Justin Ellis to replace Goldman on its roster.
Before he reached the NFL, Eddie Goldman starred at Washington, D.C.’s charter high school Friendship Collegiate Academy. He blossomed into a five-star recruit, committing to Florida State in 2012. As a Seminole, he won a national championship.
During his NFL career, Goldman played 81 games, collecting 175 tackles and 13.0 sacks.
