Chargers, Saints Starting Lineman Announces Retirement

Longtime veteran offensive lineman Will Clapp has officially announced his retirement. Clapp, a former seventh-round pick, spent time with the New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Chargers, and Buffalo Bills.

Will Clapp Announces Retirement

Will Clapp technically spent the 2025 season with the New Orleans Saints, although he never appeared in a single game. Originally signed in March, the veteran suffered a Lisfranc injury in the preseason, which sidelined him for the entire season. The Saints went 6-11 and missed the playoffs in his absence, but they ended the year on a high note with second-round pick Tyler Shough showing promise as a potential franchise quarterback.

Clapp originally entered the league as a seventh-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Selected by the New Orleans Saints, the LSU product didn’t play too frequently as a rookie. In total, he appeared in just three games while making one start. His role grew in the coming seasons, and while he never became a full-time starter in New Orleans, he became a key backup. His best season with the Saints likely came in 2018 when he started three games while making 14 appearances.

After playing out his rookie contract, Will Clapp signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022. Looking to fight for more playing time, the center appeared in a career-best 17 games in 2022 while making three starts. He proved himself worthy of a starting job in 2023, appearing in 14 games while making 11 starts. Unfortunately, the Chargers missed the playoffs and fired head coach Brandon Staley following the season.

Will Clapp joined the Buffalo Bills in 2024 but hardly saw the field. Bouncing on and off of the active roster, the veteran started and appeared in just one game. During that season, Buffalo made it to the AFC Championship Game before narrowly losing to the Kansas City Chiefs.