Donald waiting for new deal from Rams: 'I don't need to play' to be fine
Aaron Donald announced he was contemplating retirement after playing his eighth NFL season. Though the Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman says he's excited about the possibility of repeating as a Super Bowl champion in 2022, he'll only return for Year 9 if he can ink a new contract with L.A.
"I don't need to play football to be fine," Donald said on the "I AM ATHLETE" podcast. "I was blessed to play this game, to make the money I made, the accomplishments I made in eight years. ... I'm complete. If I can win another one, that's great. But if not, I'm at peace."
A Super Bowl win was virtually the only thing missing from the 31-year-old's football career, and the eight-time Pro Bowler checked off that box as the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in February.
"Me talking about retirement, that was happening way before we won the Super Bowl," Donald said. "I've been saying that since I got into the league. I was gonna play eight years and then be done. That's what I've been saying."
Rams general manager Les Snead recently said he's trying to find middle ground on a deal that pays Donald what he's worth while still ensuring the club is still in a position to improve.
"It ain't about the money," Donald said. "It's a business at the end of the day. For me, it's about winning. I don't want to play football if I can't win anyway, so I feel like if I have a real opportunity of winning another Super Bowl, then it makes sense to play. But again, it's still a business, we have to handle the business side of things, and if that wasn't to get handled, then it's an it-is-what-it-is type of situation. I'm gonna be fine regardless."
Donald is football's highest-paid interior defensive lineman with a $22.5-million average annual salary, though his contract ranks sixth in the NFL among defenders, according to Spotrac.
The Pitt product has enjoyed a decorated career since the Rams drafted him in the first round in 2014. He's won three Defensive Player of the Year awards - tied for the most ever - to go along with seven first-team All-Pro berths.
"I got to experience everything that I can experience as a defensive player in the NFL, from individual success to team success, from NFC West championship to winning my conference to winning the Super Bowl. ... I know what all that feels like. That's why I say if I don't play, I'm complete," he said.
Donald is signed with the Rams through 2024 after inking a six-year extension in 2018.