With just weeks left before the San Francisco 49ers kick off their training camp for the new season, they’ll have to adjust to the absence of a significant player from their wide receiver roster.
On Sunday, Trent Taylor took to social media to announce his retirement from professional football, a move subsequently confirmed by the 49ers through an official statement.
Taylor shared the news of his retirement in a heartfelt photo featuring his wife, Sarah, alongside 49ers standout tight end George Kittle and Kittle’s wife, Claire.
Sarah echoed the announcement by reposting the image on her social media, infusing it with a touch of nostalgia.
“Ended the journey with the same ones we started it with,” she wrote, paying tribute to the supportive circle that has surrounded them.
Taylor was drafted by the 49ers with the 177th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2017 draft — the same draft and round in which the 49ers chose their all-pro tight end, Kittle.
While he never developed into a star receiver, Taylor’s best season came as a rookie when he finished with 43 catches for 430 yards and two touchdowns — all career-highs. Injuries derailed his time in San Francisco when he missed the entire 2019 season with a lingering foot injury that required offseason surgery and suffered subsequent setbacks.
After three seasons in the Bay Area (2017, ’18 and ’20), Taylor left the Bay Area and played two seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals. He played his 2023 season with the Bears before returning to San Francisco for the 2024 season. He didn’t play for the 49ers in 2025 as an unknown injury placed him on injured reserve, causing him to miss the whole year.
Although injuries may have limited his growth as a receiver, Taylor emerged as a successful punt return man throughout his career.