Chris Mortensen Retirement: Why Did Chris Mortensen Retire

ESPN reporter, Chris Mortensen has disclosed that he has stepped away from his job at the network shortly following the 2023 NFL draft in April.

In a statement, he mentioned that he made the decision to step away from ESPN to focus on his health, family and faith. He added that “the gratitude and humility is overwhelming. It’s not classic retirement. I’ll still be here talking the ball. It’s just time. God bless you all”.

In January 2016, Mortensen announced his diagnosis of Stage 4 throat cancer, causing him to miss that year’s Super Bowl. While undergoing treatment, he continued to provide reporting on the league’s offseason happenings, including the retirement of Peyton Manning.

His son, Alex Mortensen, was a quarterback at the college level for Arkansas and Samford.