Will Clapp. Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Former Saints and Chargers center announces retirement from NFL

By Olamilekan Ajayi | Last updated Feb 26, 2026 9:59 AM ET

Will Clapp, a New Orleans-born center and guard who carved out a seven-year NFL career across three franchises, officially announced his retirement on Wednesday.

Clapp spent the bulk of his career with the New Orleans Saints, who selected him 245th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft out of LSU. His career also included stints with the Los Angeles Chargers and Buffalo Bills before a final return home. He shared the news on his official Instagram account.

"From the first to the last and all the ones in between thank you for being my rock! Grateful for an amazing career and excited for our next chapter!"

He finishes with 66 appearances and 22 starts across his career, numbers that don't fully capture what he gave each roster he was on.

Will Clapp announces he is retiring from the NFL. pic.twitter.com/wGldPsLrb9
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) February 26, 2026

How a Lisfranc injury in 2025 effectively ended Will Clapp's playing days

Clapp returned to New Orleans on a one-year deal ahead of the 2025 season. It ended before the regular season started.

During a preseason game against the Chargers, he was carted off the field in the first quarter after suffering a Lisfranc injury to his right foot. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve shortly after.

"Will’s phenomenal, I had a chance to be with him in [Los Angeles]. Obviously, played a ton of snaps for us there, and then unfortunately had the injury in preseason this year. He’s a huge part of this. He’s an important part of our experience here with the offensive line," Saints head coach Kellen Moore said in November 2025.

His most significant stretch came with the Chargers in 2023. When starter Corey Linsley went down with a season-ending health issue, Clapp stepped into the starting lineup in Week 4 and held the job for 11 games before a knee injury ended his season in Week 15.

In 2024 with the Buffalo Bills, he appeared in the team's playoff run, adding postseason experience to a career built almost entirely on earning the next contract.

At LSU, he was a two-time First Team All-SEC selection and the team's permanent captain in 2017, honors that signaled the kind of player New Orleans was eventually getting back.

With Jahri Evans' assistant offensive line coaching position reportedly vacant with the Saints, Clapp's transition into coaching could happen sooner than expected.

Olamilekan Ajayi

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