With mandatory minicamp about to start, all eyes were on Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald as it seemed like he was seriously mulling retirement.
After turning in yet another dominant season that led to a Rams Super Bowl, Donald could have retired on top and went down in NFL history as one of the greatest defensive players ever. However, much was made about the Rams running it back which included Donald, who did not divulge much about his future plans.
However, Los Angeles and Donald’s representation managed to get a lucrative extension done, making the star defensive tackle the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. However, the distinction did not matter to Donald, who said his only focus was on winning, via Sarah Barshop of ESPN:
“It wasn’t important,” Donald said. “It’s about other things off the field that were going on in my life that I had to get situated. And being here, with an organization that I’ve been with since Day 1, that I grew with, became a world champion with. I’m ready to try to run it back and create that whole feeling all over again.
“It’s about winning for me and the pieces are here for that to come to fruition. And for me to be a piece to the puzzle and to be here right now, it’s a blessing.”
Head coach Sean McVay always seemed optimistic about Donald’s return and it looks like he was supportive of his star either way, which Donald was appreciative of:
“It was great,” Donald said. “And being a lot more mature this time and understanding the business side of things. I talked to Sean a lot. … He understands where I was at. It’s more than just the business that needed to be handled. There’s a lot of things in my life personally that I had to handle.
“So he understood that, and that’s why I love him. Because it was so much deeper than football for me, and for my decision to be made and talked to my family about it. Talked to my kids about it. And we’re here now.”
With Donald officially back in tow, the Rams are set up well to defend their crown next season. Donald has shown no signs of slowing down, and even with a new contract in place he should continue to wreak havoc against opposing offenses.
