Former first-round pick Rolando McClain has largely been forgotten about by most NFL fans. It has been nearly a decade since he has stepped onto an NFL field due to an indefinite suspension in 2016. All these years later, he has finally been reinstated by the league, and he even has hopes of returning to the league.
ESPN’s Field Yates broke the news earlier this week that the former eighth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft will now officially be eligible to return to the field.
Free agent LB Rolando McClain, the 8th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, has had his indefinite suspension lifted by the NFL.
McClain was previously suspended indefinitely, spanning 2016-2019. Following a brief reinstatement, he was suspended indefinitely again in December…
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 13, 2023
McClain spoke about this decision from the league and made it clear that he intends to give his NFL career another shot.
“I never planned to not return to football,” McClain told Sports Illustrated. “I’m still me in every way. I laugh (at the skepticism). I’m ready for the NFL now. Like riding a bike! Football is life. I love the game.”
McClain last played for the Dallas Cowboys in 2015, starting in 11 games for the organization at middle linebacker.
At one point, he was a player who had a ton of promise as a future star in the making. However, at 34 years old he is now a far different player at a different point in his career.
It seems like his road back to the NFL may be a difficult one for a number of reasons.
Firstly is his character issues in the past that caused the suspension in the first place. McClain has a history of numerous failed drug tests, along with an arrest in 2017 on gun and drug possession charges.
Secondly is that the league may have simply passed him by at this point. A lot has changed and evolved in the eight years that have passed since he last played for an NFL team.
That being said, it would certainly be a great comeback story if someone does end up taking a chance on McClain.
