Quite arguably, the greatest defensive player ever has retired from the NFL today, per Adam Schefter. Aaron Donald, three-time defensive player of the year and Super Bowl 56 winner spent his entire career with the Rams. He was drafted by St. Louis and eventually made his mark in Los Angeles, a city of stars he became one of naturally and with ease from one of the less obviously glamourous positions. He will step away from the game at just 32 years old.
Donald has teased out this consideration, but with the Rams still a contender, it comes at a time Rams fans certainly didn't expect. That said, he's accomplished a lot and earned his keep—quite literally, coming in at #39 on the highest-paid athletes list in 2023, per Forbes.
Aaron Donald made history in 2018 by inking a groundbreaking six-year, $135 million deal. This deal showcased his immense value beyond mere statistics and highlighted the fact that the lineman revolutionized defensive play in the NFL. His subsequent three-year, $95 million extension reaffirmed his pivotal role within the Rams organization, cementing his lasting impact on the league.
Throughout his illustrious ten-year career, Donald's exceptional talent earned him Pro Bowl nods each of his ten seasons, while his unmatched prowess on the field garnered eight first-team All-Pro selections and three Defensive Player of the Year wins.
Beyond his statistical achievements, Donald's legacy is defined by his unwavering work ethic and relentless pursuit of excellence. He inspired a new generation of players and left an indelible mark on the sport. As Aaron Donald bids farewell to the game, he leaves a legacy that will be celebrated as one of the greatest in NFL history.
Loyalty is the name of the game for Aaron Donald. He was born and raised in Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, stayed close to home, and chose the Pittsburgh Panthers for his college career. There, he played for four years, won ACC Player of the Year, and was a unanimous All-American. The St. Louis Rams drafted him as the 13th overall pick in 2014. He'd follow them to Los Angeles, where he would win his eventual Super Bowl. He didn't suit up for any other organization, a rarity in today's league.
As for his impact on the Super Bowl, Donald famously hurried Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow into an incompletion and near sack on a final attempt at a comeback in Super Bowl 56 in 2022. He was beloved in Los Angeles and was certainly one of the more popular interior defensive linemen ever to set foot on the field.
At a position that normally lends itself to the biggest body that can plug up gaps, Donald brought a big (exceptionally ripped) body but also unbelievable speed, strength, and athleticism. Often double and triple-teamed, Donald created opportunities for sacks from his fellow defensive linemen but also had his fair share of sacks, a whopping 111 in 10 seasons. Yeah, from the interior. That's pretty much unheard of.
Los Angeles will certainly miss their beloved Donald. Next year, we'll see how they replace a guy who's done so much for a city that, in 2016, needed football back and couldn't have asked for a better guy to bring it to them.
Correction 3/15/2024, 2 p.m. ET: This article was updated to correct Aaron Donald's All-Pro honors. He was named an All-Pro eight times in his career.
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Stephen Adamson is an NFL sports journalist and contributing writer known for breaking news and updates. With a passion for ... Read more
