Kiko Alonso Signs With Saints, Takes Part In One Practice And Decides To Retire

Kiko Alonso has reportedly decided to retire from the NFL one day after signing a contract with the New Orleans Saints.

Alonso last played for the New Orleans Saints in 2019, but the team brought him back this offseason hoping to add some depth on defense. He had other ideas after playing six NFL seasons with four different teams.

According to WWLTV’s Brooke Kirchhofer, the former PFWA Defensive Rookie of the Year is retiring following one training camp practice.

Kiko Alonso has retired, per source.

The #Saints brought him in for one training camp practice, after playing the 2019 season in New Orleans. He’s decided to hang it up after 6 seasons in the #NFL @WWLTV

— Brooke Kirchhofer (@brookechesney) August 6, 2022

ESPN’s Katherine Terrell reports that Alonso is physically fine and simply changed his mind about returning to play. 

I'm told Alonso's retirement wasn't anything medical. He honestly just changed his mind. Football is a huge commitment and it's hard to do without being 100 percent in, especially after being away so long. Same thing with Patrick Robinson last year when he realized he was done.

— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) August 6, 2022

Alonso last appeared in an NFL game back in 2019, when he played 13 games for the Saints. He started the 2020 season on the PUP list before being traded to the San Francisco 49ers, who cut him just a few weeks later. 

Alonso was a second-round selection by the Buffalo Bills out of Oregon in the 2013 NFL draft. 

In 86 career NFL games for the Bills, Eagles, Dolphins and Saints, Alonso posted 588 tackles, 10 interceptions, seven forced fumbles and three sacks.