Aaron Donald was 'burnt out, full, complete,' prompting retirement

Field Level Media|published: Wed 20th March, 20:53 2024

Dec 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. credits: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Donald knew he was done not long after the Los Angeles Rams lost to the Detroit Lions in the playoffs in January.

Donald, a first-team All-Pro eight times in 10 seasons, couldn't fathom ramping back up for an 11th year in the NFL.

"Went to two Super Bowls. Won one, lost one. I'm complete. I'm full," Donald said in a video posted to his X account Wednesday.

"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."

Donald recorded 111 sacks and 543 tackles in 154 career games (150 starts) since being selected by the Rams with the 13th overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Pittsburgh.

Los Angeles coach Sean McVay said Donald used those words — I'm full — when he informed the franchise his career was ending.

Donald teased an upcoming video in his statement online Wednesday.

"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," he said.

—Field Level Media