Blake Martinez retires after 7 seasons

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Blake Martinez announced Thursday that he is retiring from the NFL after seven seasons.

Martinez, 28, said he's stepping away to focus on his "family and future passions."

Las Vegas signed Martinez to the practice squad in October. He played four games, recording 20 tackles. He played in 91% of the snaps in the Raiders' Week 9 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Green Bay Packers drafted Martinez in the fourth round in 2016. He spent four seasons with the Packers and started 57 games.

Martinez signed a three-year, $30-million contract with the New York Giants in 2020. He tore his ACL in Week 3 of the 2021 season and was released in September this year.

He finishes his NFL career with 656 tackles, 13 sacks, and four interceptions.