Aaron Donald took down Joe Burrow late in Sunday’s Super Bowl to clinch a championship for the Los Angeles Rams.
This was the best defender in football making a play on the game’s grandest stage to clinch a title.
But was it his last NFL play ever?
A shocking rumor emerged before the game that Donald could consider retirement if his team won.
That ended up happening, leaving everyone wondering if he would make a retirement announcement following the win.
He instead focused on enjoying the moment.
Aaron Donald just told me he’s gonna take some time before he makes a decision if he’s going to retire or not. He wants to just be in the moment here.
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) February 14, 2022
ESPN’s Dianna Russini explained Donald wants to wait a bit before making a final decision.
Yet if he does retire, he is already one of the greats to ever play the game.
An Already Historic NFL Career
Let’s say he decides to call it a career at the age of 30.
Donald would have a resume that makes him a first-ballot lock in Canton.
Aaron Donald has been in the NFL for 8 years. His resumé is unreal.
*Rookie of the Year (2014)
*Super Bowl champ
*8× Pro Bowl
*7× First-team All-Pro
*3× Defensive Player of the Year
*2010s All-Decade Team
*90+ PFF grade every year
*Only 2 games missed – both not injury related. pic.twitter.com/nnBJqptix9— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 14, 2022
The defender made his NFL debut in 2014 and immediately won Defensive Rookie of the Year.
He also made his first Pro Bowl and has not missed one since.
It took Donald until 2015 to earn first-team All-Pro honors, and he has again not missed out since then.
He has won Defensive Player of the Year three times and is now a Super Bowl champion.
What else is there to accomplish?
The only question for Donald is if he wants to earn some serious cash before retiring.
Based on yearly cash alone without any restructures, he is owed over $50 million between now and the 2024 season.
Yet he has already earned nearly $100 million and is set up for life when it comes to endorsements given his star power.
Donald has been elite since the moment he entered the NFL.
Walking away on top may be the perfect way to begin the next chapter of his life.
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