The average career of an NFL player goes by just like that, and former Denver Broncos safety Caden Sterns will be able to attest to that.
A fifth-round pick of the Broncos in 2021, Sterns looked like he would be a fixture in Denver's secondary for many years to come. He played in 15 games as a rookie and even made a couple of starts. But when he tore his patellar tendon in the season opener in 2023, he never rebounded. In fact, he never played another down in the NFL.
The Broncos released him in August 2024 and he was given a look by both the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles. However, he was never able to get back on the field. On Thursday, he officially announced his retirement from the league.
Sterns posted this heartfelt messaged on his Instagram:
Goodbye Football.
— Caden Sterns (@CSterns_7) October 16, 2025
Well, damn. Crazy to say it’s been 2+ years since the last time I stepped on a football field. I spent that time first trying to function like a healthy human being again… then fighting my way back to playing the greatest sport at a high level.
As I sit here… pic.twitter.com/iei3peuW9X
Sterns will now look for what's next for him in life after a short career in the league.
Born in Dallas, Sterns was a five-star recruit out of high school. After originally committing to LSU, he switched to the University of Texas. As a member of the Longhorns, he had over 100 career tackles and five interceptions. The Broncos selected him with the No. 152 overall pick in 2021, bringing him into a secondary that also included Justin Simmons at safety.
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Sterns finishes his NFL career with 49 tackles, two sacks and four interceptions.
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