San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Trent Taylor has announced his retirement from professional football, two months prior to the start of the 2026 season. Taylor confirmed his decision via his personal social media channels.
To mark the end of his career, Taylor shared a farewell meal with close teammate and friend George Kittle, the team's star tight end. Taylor's wife, Sarah, posted a photo on Instagram from the gathering which also included Kittle and his wife, Claire. "Ended the journey with the same ones we started it with," Sarah Taylor wrote on the social media platform.
The 32-year-old Taylor was originally drafted by the 49ers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Louisiana Tech, the same year Kittle was also selected by the team. Taylor also played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears during his career. He had two stints with San Francisco, spending four years in his first spell before returning in 2024 for the remainder of his seven-year career.
Throughout his 80 regular-season games, Taylor accumulated 88 receptions for 845 yards and scored three touchdowns. The 49ers have since added to their wide receiver depth by signing Mike Evans, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneers standout, to a three-year deal worth up to $60.4 million.
Kittle expressed enthusiasm for the addition of Evans, noting his "savviness," reliable catching ability, strong route running, and effort. Kittle is also working towards full health for the upcoming season after suffering an Achilles tear in the playoffs last year. He appears to be ahead of schedule in his recovery, with the team's season opener against the Los Angeles Rams scheduled for September 10 in Melbourne, Australia.