San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Trent Taylor announced his retirement from professional football on Sunday, weeks before the team was set to begin training camp. The 49ers confirmed his departure in a subsequent statement.
Taylor, drafted by the 49ers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, spent seven seasons in the league. His most productive season came as a rookie, when he recorded 43 catches for 430 yards and two touchdowns. However, his career in San Francisco was significantly impacted by injuries, including missing the entire 2019 season due to a foot injury requiring surgery, which led to subsequent setbacks.
After three seasons with the 49ers (2017, 2018, and 2020), Taylor moved to the Cincinnati Bengals for two seasons before playing with the Chicago Bears in 2023. He returned to the 49ers for the 2024 season but an undisclosed injury placed him on injured reserve, causing him to miss the entire year. Despite the limitations on his receiving career, Taylor developed into a successful punt returner throughout his time in the NFL.
Taylor shared his retirement announcement in a photograph with his wife, Sarah, 49ers tight end George Kittle, and Kittle's wife, Claire. Sarah Taylor, resharing the photo on social media, noted the significance of ending his career with the same people who were with him at the beginning.