Aaron Donald Planned 2023 To Be His Last, McVay Suspected The End Was Near

It came as a surprise to most people who follow the Los Angeles Rams when Aaron Donald announced his retirement following his 10th season in the league. But based on what he said on The Pivot Podcast with former NFL stars Ryan Clark , Fred Taylor , and Channing Crowder he was planning for 2023 to be his last season.

“I enjoyed every moment of it. I just took it all in because going into my Year 10, I knew it was going to be my last year,” Donald explained, “so my mindset that year was just take it all in, like I’m just a kid playing little league football again. Every experience, enjoy it.”

On March 15, 2024, Donald announced his retirement on social media. He explained in the interview he told Crowder he already felt more than accomplished in the sport and no longer had the desire or passion to continue the persistent training as reasons for his retirement at just 32 years old and still at the peak of his performance.

Sean McVay Could Sense 2023 Was Different For Aaron Donald

There had been rumors and murmurs of Donald’s retirement, but according to several accounts, Donald first told Sean McVay of his intent to hang ’em up after the Rams lost to the Detroit Lions in the Wild Card playoff game in January of 2024. “I’m full, I’m complete” Donald simply told McVay. But McVay had noticed that Donald was treating the season differently than he had in the past.

“It was really cool to see last year the joy that he played with,” McVay told Robert Mays of The Athletic Football Show , “I knew. He didn’t need to tell me. I knew it was his last year. I just knew. [When] you’re connected with somebody, you watch them taking in moments and cherishing things and savoring things that are reflective. I’m observing somebody that’s taking it in because they know this is probably the last time I’m going to be doing something that’s meant a whole lot to me and been a big part of my life.”

Donald Wasn’t Excited To Play with Rookies, At First

Knowing that it was his last season, Aaron Donald had high expectations for those around him last year. Heading into the season, he was worried by the lack of veteran additions to the defense but ended up enjoying watching the young players develop.

“I ain’t going to lie,” Donald began. “Going into it, getting ready for camp, I was a little disappointed because I knew it was going to be my last year, Year 10. I already knew this was going to be my last year, and I came back trying to win another Super Bowl,” Donald said. “I’m like, ‘Ain’t bring in no veteran help?’ I’m like, got a bunch of young guys. So you don’t know what to expect. You don’t know how these young guys are going to come in or how they’re going to play.”

“Honestly, it ended up being a super fun year for me,” he said. “I enjoyed every moment of it.”

“I had so much fun with those guys, and to see them grow from camp to being a team that made it to the playoffs, having a cold start and then getting back hot. It was so fun to watch those guys grow and have success and be part of the team. I had more fun than I thought I was going to have and I felt like they sent me out the right way, so I appreciate that. It was frustrating at first but it ended up turning into one of those fun years and exciting years.”

The Pivot Podcast

While he didn’t single out a specific player, the Rams drafted edge rusher Byron Young and defensive tackle Kobie Turner in 2023. Both earned positions as starters and were important parts of the success the team had in the last eight games of the season.

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