One of the NFL’s biggest stars and Los Angeles Rams Defensive tackle Aaron Donald announced his retirement from the NFL on Friday after spending 10 seasons with the team. He made his announcement on the social media ‘X’, formerly known as Twitter, to step away from the game.
“Throughout my career, I have given my everything to football both mentally and physically – 365 days a year was dedicated to becoming the best football player I could be,” he said in his announcement.
“For 10 years, I have been fortunate to play the game of football at the highest level,” Donald said in a statement shared in social media. “I’m thankful for the people I’ve met along the way, the relationships I’ve built and the things I’ve accomplished with my teammates and individually.”
The 32-year-old star leaves the game with an invincible resume. He was a 10-time Pro Bowler, eight-time first-team All-Pro, three-time Defensive Player of the Year and 2014 Defensive Rookie of the Year. He also won the Super Bowl with the Rams in 2021.
He finished his career with 111 sacks, 543 tackles, 176 tackles for loss and 260 quarterback hits in 154 games. He started 150 of those games.
“There will never be another Aaron Donald,” Les Snead, Rams General Manager, said in a statement posted to the team’s website.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Donald is one of two defensive players since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to earn a Pro Bowl selection in each of their first 10 NFL seasons, alongside Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor (10).
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Donald and Barry Sanders are the only players in NFL history to play 10 seasons and be chosen for the Pro Bowl every season. Sanders also played precisely 10 seasons, retiring in 1998.
Why did Aaron Donald retire? It is, indeed, a million-dollar question frequently asked by his die-hard fans who follow the NFL.
“As I turn my focus to a new chapter, I don’t know what the future holds but I am excited about the off-the-field possibilities,” Donald wrote on Friday. “I’m looking forward to spending more time with my wife Erica, and my kids, Jaeda, AJ, Aaric, and Aali. The greatest reward was being able to play this game with them by my side and I can’t wait to watch them live out their dreams just as they watched me live out mine.”
“The great players in our league elevate the people around them and Aaron has modeled the way for our team as long as I’ve been with the Rams,” Coach Sean McVay said in a statement. “He’s an elite competitor, someone who leads by example in a way that’s authentic to him, and an exceptional teammate who inspires everyone around him to be the best version of themselves. As great of a player he is, he’s an even better person.”
“He is truly one of one and epitomizes everything that’s right about sports. I will forever cherish the memories we’ve made and will always be grateful for how he poured everything into this game and into our team. He’s meant a lot to me personally and to my family.” Coach Sean McVay said.
The Rams posted a tribute video for Donald and praised the All-Pro tackle in several X posts, including one with a photo of him in action and the caption: “Quarterbacks rejoice.”
“One of the greatest to ever play the game. Period,” former Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman J.J. Watt wrote on social media. “Congratulations. … One hell of a career.”
“We are so grateful for Aaron’s dedication to greatness and for leading our franchise on and off the field for the past decade,” Rams owner Stan Kroenke said in a statement.
Before being drafted, Donald stood out at Penn Hills High School in the Pittsburgh area and later at the University of Pittsburgh.
During his four years with the Pitt Panthers, Donald made 115 solo tackles, 181 total tackles, and 29.5 sacks in 51 games. His impressive performance led to him being selected 13th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Rams.
Donald will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2029. It’s highly probable that he will be selected in the first ballot.
On Friday, after Donald announced his retirement, the Hall of Fame stated that it was anticipating a player who is likely to be chosen unanimously in his first year of eligibility.
“The year 2029 is worth noting,” the Hall of Fame posted to social media.
This week, the Rams adjusted Donald’s contract, lowering his salary-cap number from $34 million to $25 million. This move gives the Rams about $9 million extra in cap space for now. However, they’re likely to face a $32-million cap hit spread over the next two years.
Young players like nose tackle Kobie Turner and edge rusher Byron Young are set to return to a team that was expected to compete for the Super Bowl.
While the Rams might bring in a free agent or trade for a veteran defensive lineman, they also hold the No. 19 pick in the draft, along with 11 other picks.
However, Aaron Donald’s departure leaves big shoes to fill, and there’s no replacing him.