By Blessing 
Many NFL players dream of long careers, but Detroit Lions defensive end John Cominsky is stepping away from the game on his own terms. The 29-year-old pass-rusher shocked many on Monday when he announced his retirement from the league. However, his reasoning for leaving at a relatively young age is one that commands respect.
“After 6 years in the NFL, I am officially medically retiring,” Cominsky shared on Instagram. “I am proud of the career I had, but have accumulated a combination of injuries that are overwhelming my desire to continue playing.”
Cominsky expressed gratitude to the teams that gave him opportunities, acknowledging the Atlanta Falcons for drafting him and the Detroit Lions for picking him up off waivers and extending his contract.
“Thank you to the Atlanta Falcons for believing in me and drafting an under-the-radar DII prospect. Thank you to the Detroit Lions for grabbing me off waivers and giving me a second contract and allowing me to show what I can do as an NFL starter,” he wrote. “Thank you to the front offices and coaches that helped build me up and believed in me. Who would have thought a small-town Barberton, Ohio QB would find his way to sacking NFL QBs?”
During his time with the Lions, Cominsky played a crucial role on the defensive line. In 2022 and 2023, he recorded 73 pressures, 52 hurries, and 15 quarterback hits, according to Pro Football Focus. Unfortunately, a torn MCL sidelined him for the entire 2024 season.
Following his announcement, fans and teammates flooded his Instagram comments with well wishes. Among them was Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who kept his message simple yet meaningful: “Congrats on the great career brother.”
Cominsky joined the Lions a year after Goff arrived in Detroit via trade from the Los Angeles Rams. The two both hit their stride in the same season—Goff with an impressive 4,438 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, while Cominsky made his mark with 30 tackles, four sacks, and three passes defensed in 14 games.
Selected in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Cominsky played five seasons in the league—three with the Falcons and two with the Lions. Over his 57 career games, he tallied 107 tackles, 7.5 sacks, six passes defensed, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. While his time on the field has come to an end, his impact remains undeniable.