Former Tiger, Saint Will Clapp announces retirement

By Hunt Palmer and Ross Jackson

Will Clapp’s Louisiana football chapter is closing.

At least on the field.

The former Brother Martin Crusader, LSU Tiger and New Orleans Saint announced his retirement on social media Wednesday night. He posted a picture of his wife from their high school days captioned:

“From the first to the last and all the ones in between thank you for being my rock! Grateful for an amazing career and excited for our next chapter!”

Clapp signed with LSU as a four-star recruit in the Class of 2014. He was a three-year starter for the Tigers and earned All-SEC honors at both guard and center before becoming a seventh-round pick of his hometown New Orleans Saints.

He spent his first four professional seasons in the Crescent City, his hometown, before departing for a new opportunity with the Los Angeles Chargers. During his time with the Chargers, Clapp and then-offensive coordinator Kellen Moore first worked together.

Clapp would go on to join the Buffalo Bills in 2024 before returning home to New Orleans in 2025.

Unfortunately, the lineman’s homecoming was cut short from a playing perspective because of a Lisfranc injury suffered during the preseason which shut him down for the 2025 year.

However, that didn’t stop Clapp from being involved. He spent time on the sidelines both in practices and during games helping out the coaching staff and leading work with the offensive linemen. 

“Will’s phenomenal,” Moore said during his bye week media availability. “I had a chance to be with him in [Los Angeles]. Obviously, played a ton of snaps for us there and then unfortunately had the injury in preseason this year. He’s a huge part of this. He’s an important part of our experience here with the offensive line.”

Because of this, Clapp’s future could still be in New Orleans. The Saints saw former offensive lineman, Jahri Evans, who was serving as their assistant offensive line coach depart for a role with the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier in the offseason. Being that the Saints are already familiar and comfortable with Clapp holding mentorship and coaching responsibilities, the team could turn to him to help fill the vacated role.