Darnell Dockett, one of the greatest Arizona Cardinals defensive tackles in team history, is expected to announce his retirement.
ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss reported on Sunday that will officially announce his retirement Monday. The Cardinals will hold a press conference Monday afternoon. Cardinals president Michael Bidwill, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians and Dockett will be in attendance.
Dockett was cut by the Cardinals in February 2015, seven months after tearing his ACL. He went on to sign a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers but was released before the regular season started.
Dockett’s NFL Story
The Cardinals drafted Dockett with the 64th overall pick in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft, the same draft class that included Larry Fitzgerald, Karlos Dansby, and Antonio Smith.
In his rookie season, Dockett played in all 16 games, accumulating 33 tackles with 3.5 sacks, intercepted a pass and forced one fumble.
Dockett’s best season came in 2007. Dockett ended his season with 43 tackles, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles. This would also be his first selection as a Pro Bowler.
His play in 2008 helped the Cardinals in their Super Bowl run. For the 2008 campaign he complied 37 tackles, four sacks, and returned a fumble for a touchdown.
The Cardinals made it to Super Bowl 43 and took on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dockett had five tackles and tied a Super Bowl record for sacks after sacking Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger three times. Ultimately the Cardinals lost 27-23.
Dockett was a force to be reckoned with on the Cardinals defensive line. In a five-year span, Dockett piled up 181 tackles, 21.5 sacks, three fumbles, an interception and one defensive touchdown. In that span he earned two more trips to the Pro Bowl.
During Cardinals training camp in 2014, Dockett tore his ACL, thus putting an end to his 2014 season. His time came to an end with Cardinals shortly after the conclusion of the 2014 season.
Dockett signed a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers on March 5, 2015. Dockett would ultimately be cut by 49ers just before the regular season began.
Legacy
Cardinals fans will remember Dockett for his passion and his ability to get to the quarterback. He played in 16 regular season games eight out of his ten years in the league. In the two seasons he played in 15 games.
He was a three-time Pro Bowler and a second-team All-Pro in 2009. His all-time stat line includes 349 tackles; Dockett is seventh all time in Cardinals history with 40.5 sacks, nine fumbles, four interceptions and two defensive touchdowns.
His credentials are enough to see his name go into the Cardinals Ring of Honor following the footsteps of his teammates Adrian Wilson and Kurt Warner.