Chase Winovich, former Thomas Jefferson star linebacker and quarterback, announced his retirement from the sport of football Tuesday night in a post on Instagram.
Winovich starred for Thomas Jefferson from 2010-13. His best season in high school came as a senior in 2013, where he made 57 tackles, 41 solo, 13.0 sacks, three fumble recoveries and two passes defended. He received a four-star rating from 247sports, who also ranked him as the No. 8 player in Pennsylvania and the No. 24 linebacker in the country in the Class of 2024.
He then played for Michigan from 2014-18, where he featured as an All-Big Ten and All-American performer During his time as a Wolverine, he racked up 166 tackles, 86 solo, 43 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and recoveries and a pass breakup.
The New England Patriots drafted Chase Winovich in the Third Round of the 2019 NFL Draft with the No. 77 overall pick. His best season with the Patriots came in 2020, when he played all 16 games, starting nine, while leading the team with 5.5 sacks, and making 48 tackles, 33 solo, an interception, two passes defended and a forced fumble.
Winovich dealt with injury problems after a strong two seasons with the Patriots, who then traded him to Cleveland Browns after the 2021 season. He played in eight games for the Browns last season, starting two, while making 20 tackles, 14 solo and 2.0 sacks.
Chase Winovich signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal with the Houston Texans in March, but they released him in late August prior to the start of the 2023 season.
In four NFL seasons, three with the Patriots and one with the Browns, the Jefferson Hills native recorded 105 tackles, 70 solo, 11 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, an interception, three pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Winovich, who is 28 years old, didn’t announce a specific reason for retiring, but thanked everyone for believing in him throughout his journey in the NFL. “The journey has only just begun!!,” Winovich finished off his Instagram post with.
Chase who? Never heard of him….
Very disappointing pro career. Now time to get on with your life’s work. Good luck to you.