The Los Angeles Rams suffered a major blow to their 2024 season last week when Aaron Donald - arguably the best player in the franchise's history - announced his retirement.
Donald, who was still a dominant force as a defensive tackle, ended his 10-year career as one of the most decorated players in NFL history.
He was still so good, in fact, that Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce wants him to come chase another ring, and join the defending Super Bowl champs.
“Shoutout to AD. Unbelievable career," Kelce said on his Podcast. "If you want to win one more Super Bowl, we’ll probably have some availability somewhere in December.”
All that said, Donald's retirement on Friday wasn't exactly out of the blue, either.
Rumors of retirement had been swirling about the former Pittsburgh Panther since after the Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. Yet Donald kept coming back—that was until now.
Donald even came out with the reason behind his decision to retire, citing his lack of drive and desire to keep playing.
“I’m complete. I’m full," Donald said. "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 another camp and another 17 seasons, I just don’t have the urge to want to push myself to do that anymore. I’m just, I’m burned out. The best way to say that is I’m full, I’m complete, I’m satisfied with what I was able to do in 10 years... it’s time to move on.”
All that said, if any team were able to offer Donald a reason to return, it would probably be the Chiefs, who are in a prime position to compete for another Super Bowl in 2024.
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