Jets QB Jordan Travis Announces Retirement After Devastating Injury Setback

Jets QB Jordan Travis Announces Retirement After Devastating Injury Setback

Former Florida State sensation and recent New York Jets draftee Jordan Travis, the dynamic 24-year-old quarterback, has retired from football after a heartbreaking career that never actually got started in the NFL. The retirement comes after a lengthy 17-month rehabilitation process of a horrific leg injury and follows medical doctors’ advice.

Travis, a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, will be put on the Jets’ reserve/retired list. His story, full of hope and determination, is cut short before he ever took a professional snap.

A Rising Star Cut Short by a Single Play

Travis’s NFL dreams were shattered on November 18, 2023, during the Florida State vs. North Alabama game. On what seemed to be a typical play, his left leg got pinned under a tackler, resulting in a horrific fracture and serious ankle injury. The moment stunned the stadium and became the sudden conclusion of an excellent college career.

In spite of the extent of the injury, Travis threw himself into rehab with trademark toughness. But as things became more complicated, it became evident his body was not healing as desired.

Legacy at Florida State

Prior to the injury, Travis was having a breakout senior year. He passed for 63.9%, threw 20 touchdowns and only two interceptions, and guided the Seminoles to an undefeated 11-0 mark. Beyond statistics, he rejuvenated a program that had been lost at sea.

“Jordan brought this team back to life,” FSU head coach Mike Norvell said. “He gave us belief again.”

Travis finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy vote, the culmination of a college career that remade his program’s culture and expectations.

Drafted on Promise, Driven by Faith

In spite of the injury tainting his future, the Jets gave Travis a shot, attracted to his leadership, dual-threat skillset, and toughness of mind. He expressed himself openly in talking about eventually replacing Aaron Rodgers, reveling in the long journey that awaited him with an unapologetic mind.

“I love adversity,” he declared. “It just makes the story a whole lot cooler.”

Behind the enthusiasm, however, lay an agonizing and convoluted healing process.

Setbacks and Strains Behind the Scenes

Travis spent the 2024 season on the non-football injury list, in close cooperation with trainers. In March of 2025, his agent criticized the Jets in public for reportedly pushing the timeline of recovery, possibly causing further complications. The Jets insisted they adhered to all medical protocols.

Asked during the 2025 NFL Draft about Travis’s future, GM Darren Mougey would not comment. But following Wednesday’s announcement, he posted a positive message:

“It is sad that he couldn’t get back on the field after working so hard. We stand by his choice and wish him the best.”

A Farewell Letter—and a Legacy of Resilience

In a handwritten letter shared on social media, Travis wrote about his experience:

“November 18, 2023, was an unexpected day that changed my life. I dedicated everything to the rehab process, but no matter how hard I tried, my leg never went the way we wanted.”

He thanked the Jets, his loved ones, coaches, and supporters, adding:

“It is amazing how quickly life changes. This isn’t the conclusion I had ever envisioned, yet I do trust The Lord’s Plan more than anything else.”

More Than Football

For many, Travis’s retirement symbolizes more than a missed career—it’s a glimpse into the emotional toll young athletes face when dreams collide with harsh realities. From Heisman buzz to rehabilitation tables, Travis handled each chapter with remarkable poise.

“I’ve always said this makes the story even better,” he once told reporters. “I love the hard parts.”

Though his playing career ends here, Travis’s journey may be far from over.

What’s Next for Jordan Travis?

With his charisma, leadership, and passion for the game, Travis might be successful in a number of directions:

Coaching, particularly in quarterback development
Broadcasting, using his insight and personality
Motivational speaking, telling his story of resilience
Faith-based outreach, using his spiritual roots

Most think Florida State would open the doors for him in any role.

Final Thoughts

Jordan Travis’s football story concludes not with a game-winning drive, but with grace, gratitude, and unshakeable faith. His retirement is not a failure—it’s a testament to strength in vulnerability.

Ultimately, he may never have played an NFL down, but Jordan Travis departs the sport not as a player, but as a symbol of courage.

“This is not the ending I had ever imagined,” he wrote.
“But I do trust The Lord’s Plan above all else.”