Rams Star Aaron Donald Explains Why He Chose to Retire This Offseason

Donald detailed what led to his retirement decision.

Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald announced his retirement earlier this month after 10 dominant NFL seasons, putting an end to one of the most legendary careers in recent memory.

On Wednesday, Donald teased an upcoming video in which he plans to detail the reasons behind his retirement, offering an explanation to Rams fans for his departure.

“Went to two Super Bowls. Won one, lost one. I’m complete. I’m full,” Donald said. “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.”

coming soon 🎬 #rams #ad99 #ready #retirement #ddg pic.twitter.com/ozh8QDs0j7

— AD_99 (@AaronDonald97) March 20, 2024

“I’m burnt out. ... 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 my life, and now it’s time to move on.”

Despite appearing in 16 games last season, the thought of preparing for and participating in the gauntlet that is another full campaign in the NFL proved too daunting for Donald. Instead, he’ll close the curtain on that chapter of his life, with a Hall of Fame resume to boast.

In Donald’s 10 seasons, the defensive tackle made 10 Pro Bowls and earned eight First Team All-Pro selections. He’s a one-time Super Bowl champ and three-time Defensive Player of the Year. Donald recorded 111 sacks and 176 tackles for loss in 154 career games, dominating in the trenches as a former first-round pick out of Pittsburgh in 2014.