Aaron Donald brought his Hall of Fame career to an end last week, a decision which came as a surprise to many outside the Rams’ organization but not one to those within it. The franchise icon recently spoke further about his thought process on the matter. 
“Ten years, 10 Pro Bowls, eight All-Pros, three Defensive Players of the Year, Rookie of the Year, two NFC Championships, three NFC West championships, went to two Super Bowls, won one, lost one,” Donald said in an interview (Instagram link). “I’m complete. I’m full. I think the passion to play the game is no longer there for me. I will always love football, but to think about going through another camp and another 17 [game] season, I just don’t got the urge to want to push myself to do that no more.
“I’m just, I’m burned out. The best way to say that is I’m full, I’m complete, I’m satisfied with what I was able to do in 10 years, and I think it’s time for me, at 32 years old, to retire from football and jump into the next step of my career and life and it’s time to move on.”
Indeed, Donald’s career is one of the most decorated amongst NFL players on either side of the ball. Especially having won a Super Bowl in addition to his individual accolades, the Pitt product would not encounter any unmet challenges if he suited up for an 11th campaign in 2024. Due in large part to his massive raise secured in 2022, his financial situation is also far from a concern.
Donald has racked up over $157MM in earnings, a reflection of the Rams’ ongoing commitment to retaining him and his continued elite level of play through the final seasons of his illustrious career. He will no doubt enter the Hall of Fame when first eligible in 2029, by which point further clarity on his post-playing plans will have emerged.
One heck of a resume! Enjoyed watching him play. Dude was dominate!
Love all of this. As a football fan I’m sad to seem him go but you can’t ask for much more out of a career
It’s admirable to watch players go out on their own terms. Best wishes in retirement.
I would be burnt out too if I got double teamed that much. Amazing career. Glad he can walk away while still a force instead of circling the drain.
Makes perfect sense. Enjoy the golf course. I’m jealous.
Selfish part of me hopes he takes a year off and comes back because he still has plenty of greatness in him. But if anybody deserves a good retirement this man definitely does with all his accomplishments
For being such a trash college for, idk, 20 years now Pitt sure does produce some studs.
Very strange – Aaron Donald has one more year on that $95 million contract. To play 2024 should put another $30 million in his coffers. On the other hand, perhaps the bonuses and guaranteed money are structured in such a way that it only costs Aaron Donald $1 million to retire now.
@alec, another article noted by him doing it after the ‘start of the NFL year’ he secured a nice purse. to stay and play without 100% dedication is a recipe for disaster, not to mention out if character for him as he seems to be the type to only want to give 100% and strive to be the best.
Do you know what happens with Donald’s contract and bonuses this year when he retires now?
Alec, the restructure hours before his announcement lowered his 2024 cap hit from 34.2m to 25m. Saving Rams 9.2m this year. I believe if he retired before the nfl year it would have been voided.