Saying goodbye to something you love is never easy. In sports, it’s even harder. You spend your whole life playing the game, putting in the work, and then one day—it’s over. That’s a hard pill to swallow. But it’s not just about missing the game and not doing something you love. There’s also the big question of what happens next. The thought of how to remain financially stable is one that hits many people after retirement. The good news? NFL players get some solid benefits. But how much do they actually receive? Well, recently a retired NFL DE talked about the same.
Recently, at 29 years old, Isaac Rochell decided to hang up his cleats. The ex-Raiders player took to Instagram to share his decision with fans while also discussing NFL retirement benefits. Talking about the same, he said, “So I got seven credited seasons, that means I got seven years of pension. I won’t give you all the numbers, but I’ll give you these numbers. So after 7 years I’m gonna make around $6000 when I turn 55.”
Rochell also talked about his 401(k) plan and while he did not share everything, he did talk about a few things. He said, “401(k) I’m not gonna tell you how much is in there but essentially NFL clubs match 2 to 1, so you can put up to around $30,000, the NFL clubs have to match that.’” He spoke about the financial and medical benefits NFL players receive. The former DE explained that one big perk is the Capital Accumulation Plan, where teams regularly contribute money, building up to a six-figure amount over time. “Another thing you get is your Capital Accumulation Plan,” he said. “It’s a big amount, and clubs put money into it throughout your whole career.”
While talking about the benefits he would get, he also mentioned the annuity program, which works like a long-term investment. “After seven years, I have seven years’ worth of savings in that account—another large sum of money,” he added. All of these programs help retired players stay ‘financially’ secure even after they have stopped playing. The 29-year-old also talked about the medical benefits players get after retirement. “You get $200,000 for medical expenses and five years of coverage once your career ends,” he explained.
However, he pointed out that many former players struggle with health issues, and five years isn’t enough. “It should be longer—a lot of NFL guys have problems with this,” he said. After those five years, players can use a health reimbursement account to access another $200,000 for medical costs. While these benefits offer some support, Rochell believes the system could be improved to better help retired players.
Issac Rochell’s wife shared an emotional message
Rochell’s professional football journey began when he joined the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 2013. He performed decently for his college and ultimately began his NFL journey in 2017 with the Chargers. While this was where it all started professionally for him, his love for the game started quite early. In his 7 year career, the NFL DE played for 4 teams and featured sporadically in the squad.
Rochell had a decent NFL career, but it all came to a halt in November 2023. The last 14 months have not been great for the former Raiders man. After his release from the team, the 29-year-old wished to join another team, but unfortunately, that did not happen. Eventually, he decided to bid farewell to the game he loved. Recently, Rochell’s wife, Allison Kucharczyk, took to Instagram to pen an emotional message for her partner.
She posted, “For the past 10 years, I’ve had the privilege of watching you chase your dream, pouring your blood, sweat, and tears into this game. I’ve seen the highs—the victories, the unforgettable moments, the hard-earned celebrations. I’ve seen the lows—the injuries, the setbacks, the sacrifices that no one else sees. Through it all, you’ve carried yourself with strength and a work ethic that never wavered.”
Rochell and his wife met during their college and since then the couple has been together. The pair got married back in 2020 and now have a beautiful daughter together named Scottie Bie. Kucharczyk has been through the NFL stars’ side through all the ups and downs and now, as he prepares to step into another phase of his life, Kucharczyk will be there by his side as always to support him.
The former NFL DE was never known for his flashy play or amazing feats, but more for his grit, work ethic, and commitment on the field. This professionalism and dedication towards the sport helped him and made sure that a 7th-round draft pick was an integral part of the NFL for 7 years. It truly shows how committed towards the sport Rochell was and we wish him the very best for his future.
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