After a decade of dominance in the NFL, Aaron Donald is at peace with his decision to retire — and according to him, a comeback isn’t in the cards.
“As far as playing football, I don’t miss it,” the former Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle said on The Panthers Insider Show on 93.7 The Fan. “I don’t even have the passion or excitement to want to play football. I will always love football, but once you lose the passion, it was time to walk away.”
Aaron Donald Closes Door On Return To Los Angeles Rams
Donald officially stepped away following the 2023 season, ending a 10-year career that was nothing short of legendary. The 33-year-old compiled a résumé that included 10 Pro Bowl selections, eight All-Pro honors, three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards, and a Super Bowl championship in 2021. He retired still performing at an elite level, which has led to speculation about a potential return — but Donald isn’t entertaining the thought.
“I worked my ass off to put myself in the position today to do things like this now,” he said. “It truly is special. It’s emotional and I get to share these moments with my family, my kids.”
One of those moments includes being named to the 2025 Pitt Hall of Fame class, honoring his standout collegiate career at the University of Pittsburgh. For Donald, retirement has been a fulfilling chapter, allowing him to prioritize time with his family and reflect on everything he achieved on the field.
Despite his firm stance, the idea of a Donald return continues to surface, especially given how recently and abruptly he left the game — and how well he was still playing.
However, head coach Sean McVay struck a respectful tone, suggesting the team would never pressure Donald into reconsidering.
“I would almost feel disrespectful reaching out to him, just based on the principles and knowing him the way that I do,” McVay said, via The Los Angeles Times. “If that was something that he got interested in, then that would obviously be something that you’re always open to.”
Still, Donald himself has given no indication he’s wavering. While he admits he misses the camaraderie of the locker room, the drive to suit up on Sundays is gone.
Few players in NFL history have walked away at the height of their powers the way Donald did. And even fewer have done so with such conviction and clarity.
From dominating offensive lines to dominating dad life, Donald is proving that greatness doesn’t stop at retirement — it just changes form.
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