Ja’Lynn Polk, former Patriots wide receiver who didn’t pan out, retires from the NFL

Wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, the Patriots’ second-round draft pick in 2024, has retired from the NFL at age 24.

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The Saints, who traded a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Patriots in exchange for Polk and a 2028 seventh-rounder in September, placed Polk on the reserved/retired list on Sunday.

Polk had participated in the Saints’ voluntary offseason program during the spring and reported to training camp last week. He did not practice on Friday or Sunday because of “personal things,” according to coach Kellen Moore.

Just two years ago, the Patriots drafted Polk at No. 37 with hopes he could serve as a long-term, reliable target for quarterback Drake Maye. But Polk never lived up to the billing, finishing with just 12 catches for 87 yards as a rookie.

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Following a coaching change, Polk looked to put his disappointing performance behind him and returned for his second season in New England with “a new focus.”

He then suffered a season-ending shoulder injury while fighting for yards during a preseason game, which ended up marking his last snaps in a Patriots uniform.

Polk is a recent addition to the list of unsuccessful wide receivers drafted by the Patriots, joining N’Keal Harry (2019), Tyquan Thornton (2022), and Javon Baker (2024).

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