Panthers' Allen Announces Retirement, NFL News

Carolina Panthers defensive end Jared Allen announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday in an unconventional but appropriate way.

The NFL's active sacks leader (136) posted a video of himself wearing a black cowboy hat, heavy coat and riding a horse off "into the sunset'' even though there was none.

"I just want to say thank you for an amazing 12-year career,'' Allen said in the video. "This is the part where I was going to ride off into the sunset, but seeing how there is no sunset, I'm just going to ride off.''

Allen, who was raised on a ranch, then waved to the camera, turned his horse and rode off into a snowy field.

Allen released the following statement through his agent, Ken Harris:

"I want to take this time to thank my family, friends, fans and teammates who have given their continued support throughout my 12 year career. It's been a great ride for me, and I couldn't be more grateful for the memories. It is with a great deal of thought and consideration that I have decided that I will not return to football next year.

"I want to thank the Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and the Kansas City Chiefs organizations, who provided me with an opportunity to live out my dream and to be a part of their wonderful communities. Thanks for the life long memories.''

Allen played in Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos with a broken right foot suffered in a divisional playoff win against Seattle.

Coach Ron Rivera hinted after the 24-10 loss to the Broncos that Allen might have played his last game.

Tulloch, Lions To Part Ways

Detroit linebacker Stephen Tulloch said Thursday on his Instagram account that he no longer will be with the Lions.

"What a journey it's been Detroit! Five years of some of the greatest memories of my career," Tulloch wrote.

"Such as life there is constant change. But change that I'm looking forward to. As one chapter closes in my career another one opens up."

The team has yet to make his release official but it is expected to come next month. He had been the team's starting middle linebacker since coming to Detroit in 2011 after starting his career with the Titans.

Tulloch struggled at points during the 2015 season; in fact, for the first time in his Lions career, he was taken off the field in certain situations. He still led Detroit in tackles with 107 and was a primary player on rushing downs.

He was due $7.3 million in 2016, the final year of his contract. Releasing him should save the Lions about $6 million in cap space.

Tulloch missed the first significant time in his career in 2014 after tearing his ACL while celebrating a sack of Aaron Rodgers in Week 3.

Miller Thinks Long-Term Contract Ahead With Broncos

Maybe it's still the afterglow of a Super Bowl win and MVP award, but all is right in the world for Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller.

Miller said Thursday he thinks things will stay that way.

In a phone interview, Miller said he believes the Broncos have the talent to repeat as Super Bowl winners, that a long-term contract will get done with the Broncos and that his mentor, DeMarcus Ware, will return for the 2016 season.

"It feels like I've been here before -- we talked about [winning the Super Bowl] so much in the locker room,'' Miller said. "At the table where we sit all the time, Emmanuel [Sanders], me, [Aqib] Talib, T.J. [Ward], we talked about it so much. It feels like I've been here before. Chris Harris, all the guys, we've talked about this, dreamed it, in the locker room, it's surreal to be able to experience it.

"We've got plans of doing this again. We don't want it to be a one-year thing.''