STUNNER: Rumors Already Starting That Aaron Donald Will Be Ending His Retirement … Will He Be Able To Resist The Itch???

Casey Kaye
By Casey Kaye

In somewhat of a stunner, Los Angeles Rams All-Pro star Aaron Donald announced his early retirement from the NFL.

As one of the most dominant forces in football, Donald is often considered the single-best defensive player of this generation.

At only 32-years old, and still at the top of his game, his decision to walk away from football has made fans draw comparisons to Barry Sanders.

Much like Donald, Sanders retired from football very young while still at the top of his game.

Fortunately for Donald, he enjoyed much more success than Sanders – but still. It’s always sad to lose one of the NFL’s all-time greats. 

“I’m complete. I’m full,” Donald said in his first interview since retiring. “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 camp and going through another 17 (game) season. I just don’t have the urge to want to push myself to do that no more,” he admitted.

“I’m burnt out, if anything. The best way to say it is that I’m full. I’m complete. I’m satisfied with what I was able to do in 10 years. 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.”

“It’s time to move on,” he concluded. 

While there were rumors that Donald was considering retiring following the Rams victory over the Cincinnati Bengals and Super Bowl LVI, his decision still comes as a shock.

“Ten years. Ten Pro Bowls. Eight All-Pros. Three Defensive Player of the Years. Defensive Rookie of the Year. Two NFC championships. Three NFC West championships. Went to two Super Bowls, won one, lost one,” he said, summing up his accomplishments.

Not too bad, huh???

Yet, in drawing comparisons to Sanders, Donald acknowledged a crucial difference.

While Sanders opted for retirement despite nearing the historic milestone of Walter Payton’s career rushing record, Donald emphasized a similar detachment from individual accolades, echoing Sanders’ renowned indifference to personal milestones.

Reflecting on the rarity of departing on one’s own terms, Donald acknowledged the privilege of following in Sanders’ footsteps, closing a chapter of his career defined by excellence and integrity.

“Very few players get to go out on top, on their own terms,” Donald mused, echoing the sentiment Sanders embodied a quarter-century ago.

Having said all of that, some are speculating whether it may only be a matter of time before Donald makes a return to the NFL.

It may be crazy to think about now, especially considering the strong wording he used in many of statements.

However, some fans are wondering if after recharging his battery and feeling the infamous football “itch,” whether he’d consider parachuting onto a Super Bowl contending team.

With quarterback Matthew Stafford having an enormously strong bounce-back season last year, it’s not like the Rams are THAT far off.

If the Rams are (seriously) contending, would a midseason return for Donald be that far-fetched?

You can’t necessarily rule out the possibility. Although, in fairness, Donald seems extremely content with his decision. 

What do you think?

Is Donald indeed retired for good?

Or does something tell you we could see him again on a football field, especially if the perfect opportunity presents itself???

 

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