Former Bengals star announces retirement

USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Former Bengals star announces retirement

Originally posted on CincinnatiBengalsCommunity
By Debanjali Rakshit | Last updated Jul 13, 2026 12:53 AM ET

After seven NFL seasons, former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Trent Taylor has officially called time on his playing career, bringing an end to a journey that included a Super Bowl appearance in Cincinnati.

“49ers veteran WR Trent Taylor announced his retirement after a seven-year NFL career. Taylor shared the news on his personal social media, celebrating the moment with longtime teammate George Kittle,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter posted the news on X on July 13.

This emotional career conclusion brings a full-circle end to a journey that originally ignited when the San Francisco 49ers front office utilized the 177th overall selection in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft to bring the prolific Louisiana Tech product to the West Coast.

He then joined the Bengals in 2021 and quickly became an important part of the special teams unit under Darrin Simmons.

In his time with Chicago (2024–2025 seasons), he appeared in 28 games, starting 4. He recorded 67 receptions for 712 yards and 3 touchdowns, while also contributing on special teams with solid punt return work.

Taylor was valued for his reliable hands and quick route-running in the slot. However, injuries limited his consistency. He provided a veteran presence behind DJ Moore and Rome Odunze.

After returning to the 49ers in 2024, he sat out the entire 2025 season before announcing his retirement, per X.

While Taylor begins a new chapter, the Bengals are looking ahead to another season with a roster they believe can compete.

“I can think of Vonn Bell, who came to us later in free agency, and what a huge boost to our defense that was while he was here,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said, per SI.com.

Looking back, one moment stands above the rest from Taylor’s Bengals career.

What was Trent Taylor’s most memorable moment?

Trent Taylor didn’t have a big role on offense during his time with the Cincinnati Bengals, but his most memorable moment came in the 2021 AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

After Joe Burrow threw a touchdown to Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals went for a two-point conversion with the score at 21-19. Taylor stepped onto the field for his first offensive snap of the playoffs and caught Burrow’s pass in the end zone to tie the game, according to Heavy.

“The Bengals’ official account of the game noted that it was Taylor’s first offensive snap of the playoffs,” analyst Duncan Day wrote on Heavy on July 13.

Taylor returned in 2022 and continued to contribute on special teams, handling 33 punt returns for 340 yards while averaging 10.3 yards per return.

What is your favorite Trent Taylor memory from his time with the Bengals? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

This article first appeared on CincinnatiBengalsCommunity and was syndicated with permission.

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