Patrick Chung has decided to retire after initially indicating he planned to play during the 2021 season.

Having originally joined the team as a second-round draft choice in 2009 out of the University of Oregon, Chung was part of three Super Bowl championship teams in New England. He had spent one season with the Philadelphia Eagles, in 2013, but returned the next season.

Chung opted out of the 2020 season for family considerations, telling CBS in an interview, "It was a tough decision. You want to play football. I'm in the latter end of my career, but when it comes down to it, I feel money is not that important. I have a girlfriend who is pregnant, a baby girl coming soon, my son has a little asthma, my dad is 75 years old. I just felt like this was the best decision for my family to keep everyone safe. It's not over, it's just postponed a little bit."