Robert Woods, a wide receiver who played 13 seasons in the National Football League, announced his retirement on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The 33-year-vintage’s decision comes after being released by the Pittsburgh Steelers in September, a move intended to allow him to potentially find a new team, but no offers materialized.
Woods concluded his career having played for five different NFL franchises: the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, Tennessee Titans, Houston Texans, and Steelers. He finished with 683 receptions for 8,233 receiving yards and 38 touchdowns, according to Pro Football Reference.
The Gardena, California native was originally drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft after a collegiate career at USC, where he earned consensus All-American honors in 2011. He spent his first four seasons in Buffalo before joining the Rams in 2017.
It was in Los Angeles, under head coach Sean McVay, where Woods experienced the most significant success of his career. He developed into a key component of the Rams’ offense, known for his versatility as both a receiver and blocker. Woods recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2018 and 2019, becoming a trusted target for quarterback Jared Goff. He culminated his time with the Rams by winning Super Bowl LVI.
Following his departure from the Rams, Woods spent one season with the Tennessee Titans in 2022 before joining the Houston Texans for two seasons, playing under coach Bobby Slowik in 2024 where he had 20 receptions for 203 yards. He signed a one-year deal with the Steelers in 2025, but was released before the start of the regular season.
Throughout his career, Woods was known for his ability to play both inside and outside, making him a valuable asset to any offense. Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 193 pounds, he consistently demonstrated a physical style of play.
