Aaron Donald, the greatest defensive tackle of our era, if not all time, is calling it a career.
The Los Angeles Rams star announced his decision on social media Friday, the third day of the league’s new year.
Aaron Donald Retires
“For 10 years, I have been fortunate to play the game of football at the highest level,” Donald wrote. “I’m thankful for the people I have met along the way, the relationships I’ve built and the things I’ve accomplished with my teammates and individually.”
Donald went on to thank the cities of St. Louis — where he played the first two seasons of his 10-year NFL career — and Los Angeles and Rams owner Stan Kroenke.
Donald added: “I appreciate everyone on the field, off the field, and behind the scenes that made my job smooth. I know I’m going to miss my teammates and the camaraderie we had in the building, as well as the coaches who will continue to have a lasting impact on me.”
Donald is one of three players to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award three times. The others? Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt.
He finishes his career as an eight-time first-team All-Pro, a 10-time Pro Bowler, and a Super Bowl champion.
Donald’s signature play? His Super Bowl-clinching sack of Joe Burrow two years ago.
Aaron Donald’s Career Stats
Donald, the 13th overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, totaled 111 sacks, 260 quarterback hits, 176 tackles for loss, and 24 forced fumbles — remarkable stats for any defensive player, but particularly for an interior defensive lineman.
Even though he won basically every award a collegiate defensive lineman could in his All-American senior year at Pittsburgh, questions about his size (6’1″, 280 pounds) and fit dogged Donald during the pre-draft process.
But those concerns were proven foolish immediately.
Donald won the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2014 after tallying nine sacks, 18 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles.
His best year came in 2018 when he led the league with 20.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss.
Donald is not only his franchise’s all-time sack leader, he owns the record by 23.5 over Leonard Little.
Aaron Donald’s Contract and Career Earnings
Ahead of the announcement, the Rams restructured Donald’s contract to free up cap space, per Over The Cap.
They converted $13.8 million of his salary into a signing bonus (it’s their discretion whether he keeps it, which seems likely), which saved the Rams $9.2 million in cap space.
KEEP READING: NFL World Shocked by Aaron Donald’s Surprise Retirement
Donald, in his first nine seasons, earned $157.1 million — all from the Rams.
Every move. Every team. Don’t miss a thing with PFN’s NFL Free Agency Tracker.