Aaron Donald retires: Rams DT, future Hall of Famer announces his retirement after 10 NFL seasons

Aaron Donald, one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history, has announced his retirement from the Los Angeles Rams and the NFL. 

Donald broke the news with a post on X Friday afternoon. 

“For 10 years, I have been fortunate to play the game of football at the highest level,” Donald said in the post. “I’m thankful for the people I’ve met along the way, the friendships I’ve built and the things I’ve accomplished with my teammates and individually.” 

Donald was a Pro Bowler in each of his 10 NFL seasons, which were all spent with the Rams. A three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Donald was an All-Pro each year from 2015-22. During his final season, Donald was tabbed as an All-Pro for the eighth time. 

Donald’s greatest NFL moment occurred on the game’s biggest stage. Trailing in the second half of Super Bowl LVI, his hit on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow on a running play seemed to change the complexion of the game. Donald sacked Burrow twice in the game and his pressure on Burrow on the Bengals’ final offensive snap forced a game-sealing incomplete pass. 

The 32-year-old Donald is a shoo in to be inducted into the Hall of Fame during his first year of eligibility. He is on the short list of the greatest defensive players in league annals, a list that also includes pass rusher Lawrence Taylor and linebacker Dick Butkus.