Report: Rashard Mendenhall tells teams he is retiring

At just 26 years old, Rashard Mendenhall is making an early exit from the NFL. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) After six seasons in the NFL, Rashard Mendenhall has

At just 26 years old, Rashard Mendenhall is making an early exit from the NFL. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

After six seasons in the NFL, Rashard Mendenhall has reportedly told teams he is retiring. The running back hinted that he would be retiring recently, and now teams interested in signing the unsigned free agent are being informed that he is retiring, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Mendenhall never fully recovered from an ACL tear in 2011, which affected his 2012 and 2013 performances. The 26-year-old ends his career with 1,081 carries, 4,236 yards, and 72 total touchdowns.

With Mendenhall gone, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians reportedly plans to make Andre Ellington a focal point of Arizona's offense.

Teams told Cardinals UFA RB Rashard Mendenhall is, in fact, retiring, per sources. Mendenhall hinted at in a Feb. 25 Huffington Post column.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2014