With the Los Angeles Rams talking to Aaron Donald about a new contract, most people have assumed that the all-world defensive tackle will be back on the field in 2022. That’s not entirely true, however.
Despite negotiating an extension with the Rams, Donald is still undecided on whether he’s going to play next season or retire from the NFL. After winning his first Super Bowl last month, Donald is considering walking away at the peak of his career.
There’s also another option. Donald could take a season or two off and return after stepping away for a little while. That’s what he told Greg Bishop of Sports Illustrated for an excellent feature story on Donald’s future.
For now, he’s considering all options. He doesn’t rule out leaving football for a season or two and coming back, the way that Jordan did. He also doesn’t dismiss playing for multiple seasons.
If he does return, Donald wants what he asked Kroenke for at the parade. The Rams must re-sign critical players like Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. They must be positioned to make another run. More than anything, Donald says, McVay must be his coach. That seems likely, and in a private moment after the parade, he told McVay, “I was here before you and couldn’t get the job done. We need you. You can’t leave.”
A big reason Donald is considering walking away is to spend more time with his children. As Bishop details in his story, Donald lives with his wife, Eric, and six-month-old son, Aaric, in Southern California during the season. His other two kids, Jaeda and Aaron Jr., live back home in Pittsburgh for most of the year.
Donald gets to visit them by flying back and forth from L.A. to Pittsburgh, but he also doesn’t get to spend as much time with them as he would like. Just as Sean McVay wants to start a family at some point and spend time with loved ones, Donald wants the same with his own family – which is why he’s debating his future.
The Rams don’t even know what Donald’s decision will be, and those close to Donald believe he’s torn.
Those placing bets should put their money on another season. But it’s far from the certainty that has been hopefully described. Donald’s confidants believe he’s split between his choices, with plenty of thinking left. Even McVay hunted for clues. In Cabo San Lucas with his defensive coordinator, Raheem Morris, they FaceTimed once again with Donald. They had heard he was house hunting (disaster?) . . . in greater Los Angeles (relief!). They jokingly hoped Erica would find the most expensive mansion on the market, so her husband would need to work.
Perhaps the Rams’ moves in free agency will help sway Donald. If they’re able to bring back Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. in pursuit of another championship, maybe that will encourage him to play another season. But if they fail to construct a roster capable of contending again – it’s really hard to see that happening – then he might take some time away from football to finally get some extended time with his family.
