Ram Digest

Rams Breaking: Aaron Donald Clears Up Retirement Rumor

The best defensive player in the NFL, Aaron Donald, is coming back to the Los Angeles Rams

Matt Galatzan

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald has contemplated retirement in each of the last two offseasons. 

And for the second year in a row, Donald has decided to return to Los Angeles, confirming his intention to come back to the Rams on Wednesday in a response to his former teammate, Chris Long's, recent podcast appearance. 

"Tell'em (Chris Long) yeah I’m playing," Donald tweeted. "Never said I wasn’t."

Last season, Donald recorded 49 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, and five sacks, nearly half of his production of 2021, when he had 84 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss and 26 quarterback hits.

In 2018 Donald signed a shiny, new six-year deal worth $135 million that was set run through 2024, in a deal that made him the fifth-highest-paid defensive player in the league behind T.J. Watt, Joey Bosa, Myles Garrett, and Khalil Mack. 

Donald is set to make $13.5 million in 2023.

With that contract on the books, Rams GM Wes Snead certainly will have his work cut out for him this offseason, figuring out a way to get his team back on track after its worst record since 2016.

And despite the hefty price, getting back a healthy Donald, the NFL's best defender, will go a long way in that regard. 

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Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan the Editor-In-Chief of RamDigest.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels. For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com

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