Breeland Speaks, a former second-round draft pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, announced his retirement from professional football on June 30, 2026.
The 30-year-old defensive end ends an eight-year career that included stints in the NFL and spring leagues.
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Speaks was selected by the Chiefs in the 2018 NFL Draft as the first pick under general manager Brett Veach.
He appeared in 16 regular-season games for Kansas City before moving on to other teams.
"We're here to wrap up this career and call it a day, man," Speaks said. "It's been a long road, but we made it."
He began his football journey at Callaway High School in Jackson, Mississippi, and played college football at Ole Miss.
After being drafted, he won Super Bowl LIV with the Chiefs in 2020.
Following his time in Kansas City, Speaks spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
He later transitioned to spring football, playing for the Michigan Panthers from 2023 through 2025.
UFL Success and Career Reflection
In the United Football League (UFL), Speaks led the league in sacks and earned UFL Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2024.
He described his final season in 2025, which ended with a championship game loss.
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"2025 was my last year playing for Michigan, ended it in the championship game, didn't work out the way we liked it, but just happy to be there," Speaks said.
