NFL players who could retire after the season

Adams came over from Indianapolis last year on a two-year deal and did a satisfactory job at age 36 with two picks and two forced fumbles. Now the oldest starting defensive back in the league, Adams is in the final year of his contract and could have a limited market in 2019 if he struggles.

A late bloomer with the Bills, Alexander came out of nowhere to record 12.5 sacks at age 33 in 2016. Predictably, his production fell off last season with the move to Sean McDermott's defense, and his role in 2018 could be in flux. Entering his age 35 season, this could be the final year in the NFL for Alexander.

Brady is arguably the greatest NFL player ever, winning five Super Bowls and playing in eight with the Patriots. He was the league MVP at age 40 last season and certainly should be able to go out on his own terms. Still, the amount of NFL quarterbacks who have been productive at Brady's age can be counted on one hand, so it shouldn't be a shock if he has a sudden drop-off and calls it a career sooner than later.

Saints head coach Sean Payton already saw Brees' decline last year and adjusted by drafting Alvin Kamara and developing a more balanced offense. At age 38, Brees completed an incredible 72 percent of his passes and made his 11th Pro Bowl, but the arm strength isn't what it was in his prime. The Saints extended Brees through 2019, but he could call it a career before the contract is up if he struggles this season.

Still one of the NFL's best kickers, Bryant has made at least 85 percent of his field goals in seven of the last eight seasons in Atlanta. However, he's also approaching his age 43 season, so the end is drawing closer.

The 35-year-old Davis planned to retire following the 2018 season, but those plans changed when he was suspended four games for PEDS to start the year. Whether the Panthers or another team will want him back following this season still remains to be seen, however.

Dawson still has a big leg as he approaches his age 43 season, as evidenced by his career-long 57-yard field goal last season. Still, he struggled a bit last season, making only 80 percent of his field goals and missing three of his 26 extra point attempts. If he slips further this year, 2018 will likely be his final NFL season.

A surefire Hall of Famer, Fitzgerald seems to decide each offseason if he wants to give it another go. He enters his age 35 season with 11 Pro Bowls in 14 seasons but is still hopeful of winning a Super Bowl. If he struggles this season or he doesn't see progress post Carson Palmer and Bruce Arians, Fitzgerald could call it quits after this year.

This has all the makings of the final year for Gore at age 35. He signed a one-year deal to be a complementary back for the Dolphins, and he returns to the city where he played college football as a Miami Hurricane. Gore's streak of 12 straight seasons with at least 800 rushing yards is in jeopardy, but he's almost certainly a Hall of Famer in waiting.

Gronkowski has been a game-changing tight end during his eight-year career, but he's also missed his fair share of games due to injuries. There were offseason reports that Gronk will retire to start a career in Hollywood, and he didn't announce his return for 2018 until late April. While he potentially has plenty of football left at age 29, Gronkowski could consider his future again next offseason.

After 13 seasons in Kansas City, Johnson became a free agent and signed with the rival Oakland Raiders. His role for his new team remains to be seen, but he showed that he lost a step last season following his second torn Achilles. Johnson will turn 36 in November, and this year could be his last chance if he doesn't show some of his former burst.

An Oakland native, Lynch already came out of retirement once to join the Raiders last season. Now in the final season before the organization moves to Las Vegas, it would be a shock if the 32-year-old Lynch doesn't call it quits for good after this year. To Lynch's credit, he did show that he had something left last season, finishing with 891 yards rushing and seven rushing scores.

Martin is entering only his age 29 season, but new Raiders head coach Jon Gruden shocked the world when he signed the former Bucs running back. Over the last two seasons, Martin has averaged just 2.9 yards per carry and is past his running back prime. This will certainly be Martin's last chance if he doesn't impress.

McCown did a nice job as New York's starting quarterback in 13 games last season, but his primary role this season seems to be getting rookie Sam Darnold ready to play. Jets fans would like to see Darnold on the field sooner than later, and McCown is certainly approaching the end of his career at age 39.

Nelson struggled in his second year with the Raiders in 2017, a sign that he could be losing it as he approaches his age 35 season. Oakland is hopeful that the addition of Paul Guenther, Nelson's defensive coordinator in Cincinnati, will be a fountain of youth for the two-time Pro Bowler.

The oldest defensive player in the NFL, Newman signed a one-year deal with Minnesota during the offseason and has already announced that 2018 will be his final year. He will be 40 at the start of the season and has been named to two Pro Bowls in 15 seasons.

Peppers was used in more of a pass-rushing specialist role after rejoining the Panthers last season, and he is expected to serve in the same role this year at age 38. Almost certainly a future Hall of Famer after nine Pro Bowls and the 2002 Defensive Player of the Year Award, Peppers is 5.5 sacks from tying former Panthers linebacker Kevin Greene for third all time.

The Eagles won the Super Bowl last season despite losing Peters for the year in October due to a torn ACL and MCL. Their elite offensive line is that much better with his return after nine career Pro Bowls, but the 36-year-old might call it a career if he suffers another injury this year.

Robison served in a part-time pass rusher role last season, starting only one game and finishing with four sacks. Now in his 12th season in Minnesota, Robison is approaching the end of his career at age 35 but hopes to finally win a Super Bowl.

Remarkably, Suggs made his seventh Pro Bowl lat season at age 35, returning for the first time since 2013. He's had an outstanding career with 125.5 sacks for his career but is certainly getting close to retirement.

Sproles played only three games last season due to a torn ACL and watched the Eagles Super Bowl victory from the sidelines. The versatile back enters his age 35 season hoping to go out on his own terms with more than 19,000 all-purpose yards for his career.

The oldest player in football, Vinatieri has a future spot in Canton for his clutch heroics with the Patriots and Colts during his career. He will turn 46 in December and has said that he has no plans of calling it quits, but the end is almost certainly near given his age.

Watson returns to New Orleans this year at nearly age 38 after two years away. The veteran tight end had arguably the best season of his career with Drew Brees and Co. in 2015 but will likely serve in more of a complementary role as he gets closer to the end of his career.

Wake was a late bloomer who turned into a star with Miami after coming over from the CFL. He had double-digit sacks for the fifth time last season but now approaches his age 36 season. The Dolphins are expected to scale back Wake's snaps this season, and this could be his final year if his production falls off considerably.

A fan favorite in Buffalo after 12 seasons, Williams already suffered a knee injury in the preseason. He signed just a one-year deal in the offseason at age 35, and early-season injury issues aren't a great omen for his football future.