Aaron Donald, the standout defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams, has announced his retirement. Regarded as one of the NFL’s most decorated and dominant defensive players of all time, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year shared the news through social media on Friday.

“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’ve met along the way, the relationships I’ve built and the things I’ve accomplished with my teammates and individually.” -Aaron Donald

“We are so grateful for Aaron’s dedication to greatness and for leading our franchise on and off the field for the past decade,” Rams Owner/Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke said. “He has left his mark on generations of football fans and his accomplishments, coupled with his work ethic and passion, continue to inspire his teammates, coaches and athletes across the globe. It is a privilege to have witnessed one of the greatest players of all time and we are proud that Aaron Donald will forever be part of NFL history as a member of the Rams.”

A Look at Aaron’s Career

Etching his name among the greatest defensive players in NFL history, Aaron Donald retires as one of only three individuals to earn three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. The Super Bowl LVI champion departs the game after amassing 111 sacks across 10 illustrious seasons. Donald recorded at least eight sacks in eight of his ten campaigns and was one of six unanimous selections for the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team.

In Week 3 of the 2022 season, Donald became the fastest defensive tackle in NFL history to reach 100 career sacks. Since individual sacks were first tracked in 1982, Hall of Famer John Randle (137.5) stands as the only member of the 100-plus sacks club who primarily played as a defensive tackle.

Donald etched his name into the Rams’ record books in 2021 when he surpassed Leonard Little’s 87.5 sacks to claim the franchise’s career sacks record, reaching 88.5 against the Seahawks in Week 5 of that season. He also owns the Rams’ single-season sacks record with 20.5 in 2018, a mark that also stood as an NFL single-season record for a defensive tackle.

Donald achieved double-digit sack totals in six of his ten NFL seasons, including a remarkable five-straight campaigns from 2017 to 2021. He earned Pro Bowl selections in each of those ten seasons, garnering seven consecutive First-Team All-Pro honors from The Associated Press from 2015 to 2021, and eight overall after receiving that recognition for the 2023 season. Additionally, he was named Defensive Rookie of the Year for the 2014 season.

Beyond his 111 career sacks, Donald’s exceptional body of work encompasses an array of staggering statistical achievements. Over the course of 154 career games (150 starts), he accumulated 790 pressures, 543 total tackles (176 for loss), 256 quarterback hits, 24 forced fumbles, and 21 passes defensed. His impact transcended the regular season, as he appeared in 11 postseason contests, including two Super Bowl appearances, tallying 34 tackles (19 solo), 6.0 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 51 pressures, 16 quarterback hits, 34 hurries, and one pass defensed.

Donald’s unrelenting dominance is exemplified by these remarkable statistics, showcasing his ability to consistently disrupt opposing offenses through a multitude of avenues. His playoff accomplishments further solidify his status as a game-changing force, one who elevated his performance on the grandest stages of professional football.

This man has been a pleasure to watch, and I’m excited hear about his plans off the field, going forward.

By Vincent Quezada

Photo & Stats courtesy of the NFL/ The Rams