The Pro Football Hall of Fame should ask Aaron Donald his jacket size and set aside a spot for his bust in Canton because he’ll be there in five years.
Donald announced his retirement from the NFL on Friday, leaving the game of football after 10 seasons. He’ll go down as one of the best players in league history, which is a remarkable accomplishment for a defensive tackle – and one who was perceived as undersized, too.
With Donald retiring, the clock will start ticking on his Hall of Fame eligibility. Players must be retired for at least five years before they’re eligible to be voted into the Hall of Fame, which means Donald will be on the ballot for the first time in 2029.
Now that @RamsNFL star defensive tackle @AaronDonald97 has announced his retirement, the year 2029 is worth noting. pic.twitter.com/HrhuGhCcIt
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) March 15, 2024
Former Eagles center Jason Kelce will be eligible in 2029, too, as will another stud defensive tackle: Fletcher Cox. Donald could have retired four years ago and still been a lock for the Hall of Fame, but there’s absolutely no doubt he will get voted in as a unanimous selection on the first ballot in 2029.
On his resume are three Defensive Player of the Year awards, Defensive Rookie of the Year, 10 Pro Bowl selections, eight first-team All-Pro nods and the title as the NFL’s leader in sacks in 2018 when he had 20.5.
