CJ Goodwin Stuns NFL World With Shocking Retirement Bombshell
CJ Goodwin Retires: A Look at the Cowboys’ Special Teams Legend
Who Is CJ Goodwin?
CJ Goodwin, a 36-year-old defensive back, recently announced that he’s officially retiring from the NFL. After spending 12 seasons in the league — eight of them with the Dallas Cowboys — he’s decided to hang up his cleats and call it a career.
Important: Goodwin played in 108 games for the Cowboys since joining the team in 2018. That’s a lot of football! He was actually the second longest-tenured player on the Cowboys roster, with only Dak Prescott (who joined two seasons before Goodwin) having been around longer.
Was Goodwin an All-Star Player?
Not exactly — and that’s what makes his story so cool. CJ Goodwin wasn’t a flashy superstar that fans saw all over highlight reels. Instead, he played a role that doesn’t always get a ton of attention: special teams.
Let’s break that down. In football, when a team punts (kicks the ball away) or kicks off, the unit that runs down the field to tackle the other team is called the "special teams." It sounds simple, but those players have to be fast, fearless, and incredibly tough. Goodwin was one of the very best at this job — which the Cowboys’ special teams coach Nick Sorensen values greatly.
Some of Goodwin’s Special Teams Achievements:
- Recorded 69 tackles on special teams with the Cowboys — the 9th most in the entire history of the franchise
- Recorded 87 special teams tackles throughout his entire NFL career
- Since 2019, he was one of Dallas’ key players on special teams
- In 2021, he became the first player in Cowboys franchise history to lead the team in special teams tackles for three seasons in a row
- Worked primarily as a gunner on punt coverage — that’s the player who sprints down the sideline as fast as possible to tackle the punt returner
- Was one of Dallas’ most impactful defenders on kickoff coverage
- Played a total of 2,211 snaps on special teams during his eight seasons with Dallas
How Did Goodwin Get His Start?
CJ Goodwin’s journey to the NFL wasn’t the typical path. Here’s the story of how he got his big break:
- He went undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft, meaning no team picked him initially.
- Former Steelers Hall of Fame cornerback Mel Blount had a son who went to high school with Goodwin, and Goodwin had actually worked for Mel Blount as a farm hand.
- That family connection wasn’t the only thing that mattered — Goodwin had also worked for Blount as a farm hand, and Blount was so convinced of the young man’s potential that he personally urged the Pittsburgh Steelers to give Goodwin a tryout.
- The Steelers gave Goodwin that chance and ended up signing him as an undrafted free agent — basically, they invited him to camp after the draft was over.
Think of it this way: In every job, it helps to know somebody who can hand you an opportunity. In Goodwin’s case, a former NFL legend who had gotten to know him personally personally vouched for him — and it paid off.
A Journey Through Many Teams
Goodwin didn’t start his career with the Cowboys. Before finding his home in Dallas, he bounced around the NFL quite a bit, spending time with:
- Pittsburgh Steelers (where it all started thanks to Mel Blount)
- Atlanta Falcons
- Arizona Cardinals
- New York Giants
- San Francisco 49ers
- Cincinnati Bengals
In October 2018, he joined the Cowboys when they signed him from the Bengals’ practice squad — that’s basically a team’s backup group of players who train with the team but don’t usually play in games. From there, he worked his way up and became a core part of the Cowboys’ special teams unit.
Leadership and His Final Season
Goodwin’s teammates and coaches clearly respected him a lot. In 2025, he was named one of the Cowboys’ six team captains — a huge honor that shows how much leadership he brought to the locker room. He was also the second special teams captain, alongside kicker Brandon Aubrey.
In his final season, he finished with 18 special teams tackles, proving that even at 36 years old, he was still getting the job done.
What Happens Next for the Cowboys?
Now that Goodwin has retired, the Cowboys have a big hole to fill on their special teams unit. They’ll need someone to step up and take over the role that Goodwin held for so long.
The good news? The Cowboys have already been preparing for this. Some of their offseason signings, like safety P.J. Locke, have a strong history of playing on special teams. Locke and others could become crucial pieces for special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen as he enters his second season with Dallas.
Summary
CJ Goodwin’s NFL story is one of perseverance, hard work, and quiet excellence. He wasn’t a first-round draft pick or a household name, but over 12 seasons — eight of them with the Dallas Cowboys — he became one of the most reliable and impactful special teams players in franchise history. From going undrafted in 2014 to becoming a team captain in 2025, Goodwin proved that there’s more than one way to make a mark in the NFL. His retirement leaves big shoes to fill in Dallas, but his legacy as a special teams legend is secure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long did CJ Goodwin play in the NFL?
A: Goodwin played in the NFL for 12 seasons total, with eight of those seasons spent with the Dallas Cowboys.
Q: What position did CJ Goodwin play?
A: He was a defensive back, but he was best known for his work on special teams, particularly as a gunner on punt coverage and as a defender on kickoff coverage.
Q: How did CJ Goodwin get into the NFL?
A: He went undrafted in 2014 but got a tryout with the Pittsburgh Steelers thanks to Hall of Famer Mel Blount, whose son went to high school with Goodwin. The Steelers signed him as an undrafted free agent.
Q: What is CJ Goodwin’s biggest achievement with the Cowboys?
A: In 2021, he became the first player in Cowboys franchise history to lead the team in special teams tackles for three consecutive seasons. He also ranks 9th in Cowboys history with 69 special teams tackles.
Q: Who will replace CJ Goodwin on the Cowboys’ special teams?
A: The Cowboys will likely look to offseason signings like safety P.J. Locke, who has a strong background on special teams, to help fill the void left by Goodwin’s retirement.
