Former Saints OL Will Clapp Announces Retirement After Preseason Injury

will clapp has announced his retirement from the NFL, ending a seven-season professional run that included time with the Saints, Chargers and Bills. The move follows a season-ending preseason injury after returning to his hometown team, and comes as he balances a growing family and new off-field possibilities.

Will Clapp's playing career

Clapp entered the league as a seventh-round pick in the 2018 draft, taken 245th overall out of LSU. Over seven NFL seasons he appeared in 66 games and started 22 of them, with playing time split across three teams. While with his hometown franchise he appeared in 34 games and made seven starts; he later played 31 games for another club, starting 14 of those contests, and made one start for his final team in 2024.

Injury and final season

After rejoining the Saints last offseason, Clapp suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason and spent the year on injured reserve. Now 30 years old and with a growing family, he opted to retire rather than attempt another comeback. In a post thanking his family, he wrote, "From the first to the last and all the ones in between thank you for being my rock!" and added, "Grateful for an amazing career and excited for our next chapter!" The timing and the injury status were central to his decision.

Versatility noted by coaches

Coaches have long valued Clapp's versatility and football intelligence, attributes that allowed him to start games at both center and guard during his career. Those same traits were cited as reasons he remained a visible presence with his team in the weeks after his injury, attending sideline activities and community events despite being unable to play. His path from a late-round pick to a multi-team starter was highlighted as a measure of sustained professional value.

Coaching and next steps

His retirement does not preclude a continued role in the organization. There is a clear pathway for him to transition to coaching; one possibility mentioned is stepping into the vacant assistant offensive line coach role left by a recent departure. If he is interested in coaching, it is plausible the team would consider him for that position given his positional experience and familiarity with the roster and staff. Any such move would be conditional on mutual interest and formal staffing decisions.

Key takeaways

• will clapp retires after seven NFL seasons, 66 appearances and 22 starts.
• He re-signed with his hometown team but suffered a preseason, season-ending injury.
• Coaches value his versatility; a move into an assistant offensive line coaching role is a realistic next step if pursued.

Clapp leaves the game having beaten long odds as a late-round pick and with a résumé that includes starting snaps at multiple interior line spots. His immediate plans center on family and exploring the potential to remain with the team in a coaching capacity.