Carolina defensive end Jared Allen retires

Carolina defensive end Jared Allen decided to ride off into the sunset — well, sort of.

Allen, a four-time All-Pro who played 12 seasons in the NFL and twice led the league in sacks, announced his retirement from football Thursday in his unique way: sitting atop his horse.

A self-described cowboy who was raised on a ranch, Allen thanked everyone in a short video he released on Twitter before smiling and saying, “I was going to ride off into the sunset, but seeing there is no sunset, I’m just going to ride off.”

Allen, 33, finished his career with 136 career sacks, ninth most in NFL history.

The Cowboys are set to hire Michigan secondary coach Greg Jackson and put him in charge of safeties while working alongside current Dallas assistant Joe Baker.

Jacksonville backup quarterback Chad Henne signed a two-year contract extension.