Jason Pierre-Paul wants to make a comeback to the NFL and he’s telling everyone all about it.
Pierre-Paul last played in the NFL in 2023 when he spent time with the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins. However, the 14-year pro has been working out and getting himself in shape for months and says he’s ready to get back in the league.
Jason Pierre-Paul Says He Feels Like He’s 24-Years-Old
Pierre-Paul believes he still has the physicality and talent to return to the league and play at a high level.
“I still got it, ya know. Whoever give me that opportunity, they will see,” Pierre-Paul told told TMZ. “Last year I didn’t get a chance to play … this is a business … when people feel like they don’t need you, you gotta show them.”
“I’m in the gym 24/7, you know, with my trainer Mike,” Pierre-Paul enthused. “I feel good, you know, I feel like, you know, the 24 me … I’m down 270 pounds, uh, got abs, you know I haven’t had abs since my rookie year, you know, so that’s just hard work I’m putting in and what I’m striving to get because anybody that give me that opportunity, I’m ready to go and I’m ready to rock right now. And they’ll be like, yo, why wasn’t he playing last year? And that’s what I want them to think.”
Pierre-Paul has had an impressive career. He has 631 tackles (456 solo), 10 fumble recoveries, and two interceptions across 14 seasons. He made three Pro Bowls, was first-team All-Pro in 2011, and won Super Bowl 46 with the New York Giants and Super Bowl 55 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If Pierre-Paul were to come back, he wouldn’t be the first prominent defensive player to play deep into his 30s.
Defensive end Calais Campbell, nicknamed The Mayor of Sacksonville, has played 17 years with five different teams. He didn’t see a significant drop off as he got older and in his last two years with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023 and Miami Dolphins in 2024, recorded 56 and 52 tackles, respectively.
Defensive end Brandon Graham played his age-36 season, his 15th, with the Philadelphia Eagles, winning a Super Bowl in the 2024 season. He played in 11 games and recorded 20 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
Defensive back Terence Newman played 17 seasons until he was 39 years old. Notably, he missed only one game in his last three years in the league with the Minnesota Vikings.
Pierre-Paul has experience and versatility going for him. If he’s in great shape, he can be part of a team’s pass rush rotation and work at outside linebacker. He was always a solid player against the pass and run and he could be a great mentor for younger players.
The key for him will be his conditioning and finding a roster that has a spot open for someone with his experience and skill set.