Aaron Donald told ‘2 words’ to HC Sean McVay after Rams’ playoff loss to Lions hinting retirement

McVay claimed Donald told him right after the Lions defeat in the playoffs that he will be retiring from football.

Aaron Donald told ‘2 words’ to HC Sean McVay after Rams’ playoff loss to Lions hinting retirement

Sean McVay and Aaron Donald (Image via IMAGO)

Aaron Donald announced his retirement on March 15th. However, Sean McVay knew that the day would come two months ago.

Finishing second in the NFC West earned the Los Angeles Rams a playoff spot. They faced former quarterback Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions. Despite a close contest, the Rams lost the game, ending their season. But it also marked the completion of Aaron Donald’s career.

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The 32-year-old made up his mind to finally hang up his boots, calling the curtains on his 10-year NFL career. The Rams head coach, Sean McVay, revealed during a recent phone call with Sports Illustrated‘s Albert Breer that Donald knew his time had come.

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I’m full.
Donald told McVay

To which he replied:

You should be. You have every right to feel that way.
McVay

McVay is spot on. Aaron Donald is to this era what Lawrence Taylor was in the 1980s. The Pittsburgh graduate not only dominated but was the undisputed No. 1 in virtually every category in which a defensive player can compete.

After entering the NFL as the 13th overall pick in the 2014 Draft, Donald bagged the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. He was a first-team All-Pro eight times, missing out on only two occasions due to injury, but received Pro Bowl nods every single year of his league tenure. On top of that, he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year three times (2017, 2018, and 2021). His greatest feat came during the 2021 season when the Rams won the Super Bowl.

Sean McVay was aware of Aaron Donald’s impending retirement

Donald was feared on the field as a fierce competitor, but equally respected of it. While facing the Seattle Seahawks last year, quarterback Geno Smith got a taste of what a 6-foot-1,280-pound man can do when he charged the Seahawks QB. On one hand, he was the nightmare of the quarterbacks, and on the other, they praised him for being a great athlete.

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff makes a pass to tight end Brock Wright against Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and linebacker Ernest Jones during the first half of the NFC wild-card game at Ford Field
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff makes a pass to tight end Brock Wright against Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and linebacker Ernest Jones during the first half of the NFC wild-card game at Ford Field (Image via IMAGO)

So when a player of such caliber retires from the sport, there’s always a sense of emptiness that lingers around. But one can’t keep playing forever, especially for those who play linebacker or tackle; their league tenure more or less lasts between 10 and 12 years.

So when Donald approached Sean McVay after the Lions’ defeat, he initially thought it was the emotion talking, but he quickly realized the gravity of the situation.

I think those conversations occur at the appropriate time. There’s so much emotion that takes place right after a game.
McVay said

He also pointed out Jason Kelce‘s story, when the longtime Philadelphia Eagles center finally pulled the plug not too long ago.

You see, Jason [Kelce], there’s all these assumptions and things like that, and so I think you give guys the chance to really just digest the season.
McVay said

Aaron Donald, in his decade-long football career, played 150 games. He registered 543 successful tackles and 111 sacks (28th among all-time sack leaders).

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