Los Angeles Rams star tackle Aaron Donald may never play football again.
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Speaking on the “I Am Athlete” podcast, the 31-year-old said he will retire if he doesn’t get a more lucrative contract deal.
“I don’t need to play football to feel good,” Donald said. I had the chance to play this game, to earn money from it, to achieve several things in eight years… I am satisfied. If I can win another one [a Super Bowl], that would be great. But if not, I’m at peace.”
By winning the Super Bowl last February, Donald got his hands on the last honor he was missing from his impressive record. In fact, the 31-year-old veteran was selected as Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2014. He was named Defensive Player of the Year three times and seven times as a First Team All-Star. He also has eight Pro Bowl invitations.
“I talked about retirement before I even won the Super Bowl,” Donald also said. Since I’ve been in the league, I say I’m going to play eight seasons and then I’ll be done.”
A question of money?
If he plays in 2022, the Rams’ 2014 first-round pick (13th overall) will play his ninth season in the NFL. It seems that this threat to retire is a means of pressure to renegotiate his contractual agreement.
Currently, Donald earns an annual salary of $22.5 million. This makes him the highest paid defensive lineman in the NFL. He is, however, the sixth-highest defensive player in the league when it comes to salaries.
Recently, Rams general manager Les Snead indicated that he was trying to find common ground on a deal that would allow Donald to be happy with his terms and his club to be able to always improve by hiring. players.
“It’s not just about the money,” Donald said. But it’s still a business. For me, the important thing is to win. I don’t want to play football if I can’t win. If I feel like I have a real opportunity to win another Super Bowl, it will make sense to play. I repeat myself, but it remains a “business” and we must focus on it. If this is not managed, it will be so. I’ll be fine regardless.”
