Some players earn respect through their work, and C.J. Goodwin was one of them. As one chapter comes to an end, the longtime Cowboys special teams leader has announced his retirement after 12 seasons in the NFL. 

NFL Reporter Mauricio Rodríguez shared Goodwin's retirement news on social media, looking back at his long run with the Cowboys and his role on special teams. 

"C.J. Goodwin announces his retirement from the NFL, and that's no small thing," Rodriguez posted on X. "Goodwin led the Cowboys in special teams snaps in four of his eight years on the team, including in 2025. He was second in two other seasons. Potential replacements I'm watching." 

Goodwin started his NFL career with the Falcons in 2016 and spent a short time with the Cardinals the following year. He then joined the Cowboys in 2018 and stayed with the team for the rest of his career, playing 136 games over 12 NFL seasons. 

Goodwin continued to play an important role until his final season in the league. He appeared in all 17 games in 2025 and finished with 18 total tackles, including 10 solo tackles and eight assists. 

Interestingly, he only started one game in his career, in his rookie season. Across his eight years with Dallas, he played 108 games and remained an important player on special teams. 

The respect Goodwin earned over the years also came from the way he approached his work, something Nick Sorensen spoke about during training camp. 

Nick Sorensen shares why Goodwin lasted so long in the NFL

Last year, former safety Nick Sorensen spoke about Goodwin's career during training camp, with Patrik Walker reporting on the Dallas Cowboys' official website. 

"He's a pro, and he's really good at what he does," Sorensen said, via Patrik Walker of the Cowboys' official website. "He takes really good care of his body, he's a really good leader, but he also still produces. And you've gotta keep producing to stay in the league. He's consistently done that. He competes every day and does right, and keeps producing." 

Those comments explain why Goodwin stayed in the NFL for so many years. He earned his place through hard work and continued to make an impact, even in the final stages of his career. 

Now that Goodwin has retired, the focus shifts to the future. What comes next for him, and who will take over his role in Dallas? 

What are your favorite memories from Goodwin's time with the Cowboys? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Divyanshi Raj

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote