“One Last Ride” – Ronald Darby Says He’ll Only Return to the NFL for the Eagles… or Walk Away Forever

🦅 “One Last Ride” – Ronald Darby Says He’ll Only Return to the NFL for the Eagles… or Walk Away Forever

At 31 years old and a Super Bowl ring already in his trophy case, Ronald Darby is at a crossroads. The veteran cornerback, who’s currently a free agent, has made his intentions clear behind closed doors: he's not interested in a comeback unless it's with the Philadelphia Eagles.

“If it’s not Philly, it’s probably retirement,” a source close to Darby shared. “He wants to end it where it mattered most.”

Darby, who was a starting cornerback during the Eagles’ unforgettable Super Bowl LII run, has had one of the most up-and-down yet quietly impactful careers in recent NFL history. Drafted in the second round by the Buffalo Bills in 2015, he quickly made waves, earning a PFWA All-Rookie Team nod after recording 68 tackles and 21 pass breakups in his first season.

But it was his mid-season trade to the Eagles in 2017 that cemented his legacy. Despite battling injuries during his time in Philly, Darby was a key contributor in the team’s historic playoff run, helping lock down opposing receivers en route to the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy.

In total, Darby has logged:

• 8 NFL seasons

His post-Philly career included stops in Washington, Denver, and most recently, Baltimore, where he played rotational snaps for the Ravens in 2024. Though no longer at his athletic peak, Darby showed he still has the instincts and experience to contribute — if given the right fit.

And to him, the “right fit” is only in midnight green.

Darby hasn’t officially ruled out signing elsewhere, but multiple insiders say he has declined early offseason talks with several teams. His reason? Loyalty.

“That locker room, those fans, that parade... it meant more than people know,” he once said in an interview about his time in Philadelphia.

With training camp approaching, Eagles fans are beginning to speculate — could a reunion be in the works? The team’s depth at cornerback isn’t bulletproof, and having a veteran voice like Darby in the room could offer leadership and insurance.

If the call never comes, Darby says he’s at peace. He’ll walk away from the game as a Super Bowl champion, a respected teammate, and — above all — an Eagle for life.