Pre Aaron Donald’s X account, the Los Angeles Rams star pass rusher announced his intention to retire from the NFL after playing in the league for ten seasons. Donald’s announcement came hours after reports surfaced that the Rams restructured his contract to save cap for the 2024 season.
Aaron Donald announced his retirement
Per a statement by Donald, the future Hall of Fame defensive tackle thanked fans:
“Cheers to what’s next. Extending a big thank you to the Rams and all of the fans for your support over these last ten years. Much love,” Donald wrote.
Per his statement on X:
“For 10 years, I have been fortunate to play the game of football at the highest level. I’m thankful for the people I’ve met along the way, the relationships I’ve built and the things I’ve accomplished with my teammates and individually.
I would like to thank St. Louis for the love and support during my first two years in the league as a St. Louis Ram, and through my eight years as a Los Angeles Ram. I would like to thank Los Angeles for the love and support throughout my career as well. California has become home to me and my
family, and you all made it extra special.I would like to thank Mr. Kroenke and his family
for building an organization that I was
blessed to be part of.There are far too many people in the organization to thank specifically, but I will never forget the relationships. I appreciate everyone on the field, off the field and behind the scenes that made my job smooth. I know I’m going to miss my teammates and the camaraderie we had in the building, as well as the coaches who will continue to have a lasting impact on me.”
Cheers to what’s next. Extending a big thank you to the Rams and all of the fans for your support over these last 10 years. Much love. 🍾🙏🏽💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/edGxkUYdLz
— AD_99 (@AaronDonald97) March 15, 2024
Donald walked away from a lot of money
At age 32, Donald had one more season left on his contract. As Ben Volin with the Boston Globe notes, Celtics, Donald chose to walk away from a season in which he stood to gain $30 million by playing. But Donald should recoup some of that in a bonus.
Aaron Donald is walking away from $30 million fully guaranteed this year. You don't see that too often.
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) March 15, 2024
The Los Angeles Rams restructured Donald’s contract on Friday
In another twist for the Rams Friday morning, Donald’s decision to retire came hours after the Rams restructured his contract. Per Jonathan Alfano with Sports Illustrated, the Rams cleared $17 million in cap space for the 2023 season by pushing Donald’s cap hit to $38.5 million for the 2025 season:
“This new restructure from Donald, in combination with the Friday restructure of offensive lineman Joe Noteboom, now gives the Rams over $17 million in additional cap space.
However, freeing up cap space in 2024 means kicking the can down the road. In this case, Donald will now carry a massive cap hit of $38.5 million in 2025, which is a void year on his current contract.
This new restructure from Donald, in combination with the Friday restructure of offensive lineman Joe Noteboom, now gives the Rams over $17 million in additional cap space.
However, freeing up cap space in 2024 means kicking the can down the road. In this case, Donald will now carry a massive cap hit of $38.5 million in 2025, which is a void year on his current contract.”
Per Michael Ginnitti with Spotrac, the Rams are expected to hand Donald a $13.8 million bonus as he retires. The Rams will now have the burden of carrying dead cap hits of $17 million for 2024 and $25.2 million for 2025.
Still trying to confirm a few items but it appears as though the #Rams are handing Aaron Donald a $13.8M bonus on his way out.
LA processed a full salary conversion this morning & will likely carry the contract into June, before taking on dead hits of:
2024: $17M
2025: $25.2M— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 15, 2024
Donald had an incredible career
That’s a lovely parting gift from the Rams after Donald spent all ten seasons of his career with the organization. The St. Louis Rams selected Donald with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Donald went on to have an incredible career.
He started in 150 regular-season games and went on to record 542 total tackles, 176 tackles for loss, and 24 forced fumbles. However, Donald’s specialty was as a pass rusher. He will finish his NFL career with 111 sacks, which is unbelievable for a defensive tackle.
One would assume the Super Bowl winner will be a first-ballot entry into the Hall of Fame.
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