Martin Mayhew, the former general manager of the Detroit Lions, has officially retired from the NFL after a long and impactful career. Mayhew, who initially entered the league as a player and then moved into front office roles, spent over a decade with the Lions, including seven years as their GM from 2008 to 2015.
During his tenure in Detroit, Mayhew took the reins of the team during the infamous 0-16 season but helped the Lions rebuild with top draft picks like Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, and Ndamukong Suh. Under his leadership, the team reached the playoffs in 2011 and again in 2014. However, after a tough start to the 2015 season, including a brutal loss in London, Mayhew was let go.
After leaving Detroit, Mayhew worked for the New York Giants and later joined the San Francisco 49ers, where he played a key role in player personnel decisions. He finished his career back with the Washington Commanders, where he made significant contributions, including playing a part in their upset victory over the top-seeded Lions in the playoffs.
Commanders GM Adam Peters, who worked closely with Mayhew, spoke highly of him, calling him a “great coworker, great confidant, great friend” and praising his contributions to the team. Mayhew’s dedication to the NFL, both as a player and a front office executive, has left a lasting impact, and his retirement marks the end of an era in football.
Ex-Lions GM Announces Retirement, Closing the Chapter on NFL Career
