According to ESPN's Field Yates, the New Orleans Saints cut defensive tackle Nick Fairley on Monday afternoon with a “non-football illness designation.” Fairley dealt with heart issues that forced him to miss the entire 2017 season.

The 30-year-old Auburn product was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. His heart condition was initially discovered at the scouting combine that year, but it never forced him to miss time until this past season. Multiple heart specialists were consulted prior to Week 1, and the consensus was that Fairley should not take the gridiron.

After spending his first four years with the Detroit Lions and one with the St. Louis Rams, Fairley signed with the Saints prior to the 2016 season. He recorded career-highs in both tackles and sacks that year, leading to a four-year, $30 million extension this past offseason. The deal included an $8 million bonus and $14 million in guaranteed money.

Article Continues Below
More NFL News
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots during the second half at Gillette Stadium.
Bills RB James Cook’s contract drama unlikely to keep from joining historyJaren Kawada ·
Dec 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (80) is tackled by Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III (43) during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports
Ravens TE Isaiah Likely placed in impressive company by ESPN personalityMatty Breisch ·
Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) block a pass from Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium.
Tyreek Hill’s blunt response to Jalen Ramsey trade buzzJake Faigus ·
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin looks on in the second quarter against the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC wild card game at M&T Bank Stadium.
Steelers rumors: NFL Insider hints at Mike Tomlin’s firing amid desperationBenedetto Vitale ·
Browns GM Andrew Berry with Browns QB Kenny Pickett
1 obvious Cleveland Browns trade candidate entering 2025 training campJaren Kawada ·
image thumbnail
1 obvious Colts trade candidate entering 2025 training campDouglas Fritz ·

Fairley was a beast for the Auburn Tigers, earning All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors, the Lombardi Award, and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award while helping the university win a national championship in 2010. While he had a productive NFL career clogging up the trenches, he never made a Pro Bowl, although he did earn a Second-Team All-Pro spot in 2012.

There's speculation that Fairley's football career is likely over; not because of his age, but because of the continued concerns with his heart. Saints head coach Sean Payton spoke on the topic ahead of this past season with USA TODAY's Lorenzo Reyes:

“The first (doctor) was one that advised that he shouldn't play football again… The second opinion was a little different, and he's getting a third opinion… The things we know are this. It's obviously something significant and serious that we've got to pay attention to, obviously both for Nick and for the club. So, we're hopeful and yet we're guarded because of the type of condition that we're talking about.”