Aaron Donald is widely known as one of the best defensive players of his generation. Before he became an NFL star and Super Bowl champion, he was a young boy growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His family played an early role in teaching him to work hard and stay disciplined.

Early Life and Family

Aaron Charles Donald was born on May 23, 1991, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He grew up in a working-class family and was one of three children. His childhood was spent in Pittsburgh’s Lincoln–Lemington–Belmar neighborhood.

When Donald was young, he did not always have the strong work habits that later became a major part of his football career. He has said that he was lazy as a child. His father played an important role in helping him change that attitude.

Donald’s father wanted him to understand the value of hard work. He did not simply tell Aaron to work harder. Instead, he helped him develop discipline through regular exercise and a strict routine.

When Aaron Donald was around 12 years old, his father built a gym in the family’s basement. The gym became an important part of his early development. Donald and his father would get up at about 4:30 in the morning and work out for nearly two hours.

Those early mornings were not easy for a young boy. Still, Aaron Donald continued with the routine. The experience helped him become stronger and taught him an important lesson: success comes from putting in the work every day.

He carried that work ethic with him as his football career moved forward.

Growing Up in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh was an important part of Donald’s childhood and football development. The city has a strong football culture, and the sport was already a major part of the community.

Donald’s early life was far from the national spotlight. He was simply a young athlete from Pittsburgh who was beginning to discover his ability. As he became more interested in football, he also began to understand that his strength and athletic ability could give him an opportunity to compete at a higher level.

His workouts with his father helped him build physical strength. However, football required more than strength. A successful defensive lineman also needs speed, balance, technique, and a good understanding of the game.

Aaron Donald started developing those skills during his high school years.

Football at Penn Hills High School

Donald attended Penn Hills High School in Pittsburgh and played football under head coach Ron Graham.

At Penn Hills, Aaron Donald began to attract more attention because of his ability on the football field. He developed into a strong defensive player and played defensive tackle. He also played offensive guard, giving him experience on both sides of the line.

Playing offensive guard helped Donald understand the job of offensive linemen. That experience could later help him when he faced offensive linemen as a defensive player.

During his final two high school seasons, Aaron Donald was selected as a first-team All-State Class AAAA player. His senior season was particularly strong.

He finished his senior year with 63 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks. These numbers showed his ability to make plays behind the line of scrimmage and put pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Aaron Donald was not simply depending on his size or strength. He had the quickness and technique needed to create problems for opposing offenses. His performances at Penn Hills helped college football programs take a closer look at him.

Developing as a Defensive Tackle

Playing defensive tackle is a difficult job. Players at this position often have to battle offensive linemen, stop running plays, control gaps, and put pressure on the quarterback.

Donald began building these skills during his high school career. His combination of strength and quickness made him difficult for opposing offensive linemen to block.

The training he received from his father also gave him a strong physical foundation. But his development came from more than workouts. Playing on both sides of the line gave him a better understanding of how football works near the line of scrimmage.

He learned what offensive linemen were trying to do and how defensive players could attack them. That knowledge became another useful part of his development.

By the end of high school, Donald had shown that he had the ability to continue playing football at the college level.

Choosing the University of Pittsburgh

Although Donald had a strong high school career, he was not viewed as one of the top-ranked recruits in the country. Rivals rated him as a three-star prospect and ranked him No. 37 among defensive tackles nationally.

He received scholarship offers from schools such as Toledo, Akron, and Rutgers. However, Donald decided to stay close to home and play for the University of Pittsburgh.

He committed to the Pittsburgh Panthers, giving him the opportunity to continue his football career in his hometown.

Staying in Pittsburgh also meant that Aaron Donald could continue playing close to the place where he grew up and developed his game.

At that time, Aaron Donald was still a young defensive lineman with plenty to prove. He was not yet the dominant NFL player fans would later know. But he had already developed a strong work ethic and had built a solid foundation through his family, his high school football career, and years of training.

The lessons from his father and his time at Penn Hills gave Donald a good base for college football.

When Donald entered the University of Pittsburgh, he had a chance to prove himself at the college level. Over the next four years, he would grow from a relatively lightly recruited prospect into one of the most dominant defensive players in college football.

That development would eventually open the door to the NFL and begin the next major chapter of Aaron Donald’s football career.

College Career at Pittsburgh and the Road to the NFL

For Aaron Donald, the University of Pittsburgh was an important step toward his NFL career. After playing at Penn Hills High School, Donald stayed close to home and joined the Pittsburgh Panthers in 2010. Over the next four seasons, he developed into one of the best defensive players in college football.

Donald did not become a star overnight. His college career was a steady process of learning, improving, and proving what he could do.

A Learning Year as a Freshman

Aaron Donald began his Pitt career in 2010 as a true freshman. He played as a reserve defensive end and appeared in all 13 games.

During the season, he recorded 11 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks. Those numbers were modest, but the season gave him valuable experience. College football was faster and more physical than the game he had played in high school.

His first year was mainly about learning the college game, working with his coaches, studying opponents, and finding ways to use his strength and quickness against bigger and more experienced players.

That experience helped prepare him for a much bigger role the following season.

A Big Jump in 2011

Aaron Donald took a major step forward during his sophomore season in 2011. He moved into the starting lineup and quickly became an important part of the Panthers’ defense.

His numbers improved significantly. He finished the season with 47 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, and one forced fumble.

His 11 sacks were especially impressive for a defensive lineman who played inside. Aaron Donald had the quickness and strength to put pressure on quarterbacks while also making plays against the run.

His performance earned him second-team All-Big East honors. More importantly, the season showed that Donald was becoming a difference-maker on the defensive line.

Continued Improvement in 2012

Aaron Donald continued to develop during his junior season. In 2012, he finished with 64 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and one forced fumble.

He showed that he could affect games in several ways. He could stop running plays behind the line of scrimmage, pressure the quarterback, fight through blocks, and make important tackles.

His strong season earned him first-team All-Big East honors. By this point, Donald had established himself as one of Pitt’s top defensive players.

However, his best season was still ahead of him.

A Special Senior Season

Aaron Donald entered the 2013 season with three years of college football experience. His final season at Pitt turned into the most impressive year of his college career.

He finished with 59 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 16 quarterback hurries, four forced fumbles, and a blocked extra point.

His 28.5 tackles for loss led the nation. He averaged 2.2 tackles for loss per game, which was the best mark in the FBS that season.

Aaron Donald became a player opposing offenses had to plan for. Offensive linemen had to know where he was, while quarterbacks and running backs had to be ready for him to break through the line.

His success was not based only on strength. His quickness, technique, preparation, and effort made him extremely difficult to block.

Pitt’s official records list his four-year career total at 66 tackles for loss.

Major Awards and All-American Honors

Aaron Donald received major recognition for his outstanding 2013 season. He was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year by the league’s coaches and media.

He also won four major national awards: the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Outland Trophy, and Rotary Lombardi Award.

These awards recognized him as one of the nation’s top defensive players and interior linemen.

Aaron Donald also earned unanimous first-team All-American honors. He was selected by the Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News, and Walter Camp Football Foundation.

His rise was remarkable. He had entered college as a young defensive lineman who needed to earn his opportunities. Four years later, he had become one of the most decorated defensive players in the country.

Preparing for the NFL Draft

After finishing his college career, Aaron Donald entered the NFL Draft process. NFL teams evaluated him through game film, interviews, practices, medical evaluations, and athletic testing.

One of his biggest opportunities came at the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Donald performed very well at the Combine. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.68 seconds, an impressive time for a defensive tackle.

His Combine performance added to what teams had already seen from him at Pitt. He had shown that he could produce on the field and also had the athletic ability to compete at the next level.

He also impressed during Senior Bowl practices, where he was named the Most Outstanding Overall Player.

Selected by the Rams

By the time the 2014 NFL Draft arrived, Donald was expected to be a first-round selection.

The St. Louis Rams selected him with the 13th overall pick in the first round.

Being picked by the Rams gave Aaron Donald his chance to take the next step and prove himself in the NFL. After four seasons at Pitt, he entered the NFL with 66 career tackles for loss, major awards, and unanimous All-American honors.

Over four years at Pitt, Aaron Donald worked his way from a relatively unknown player into a highly regarded NFL prospect.

The Rams believed his quickness, strength, technique, and preparation could succeed at the professional level.

On draft night in 2014, that belief became official. Aaron Donald was an NFL player, and his professional career was about to begin.

Aaron Donald’s Rise With the Rams: 2014–2017

When the St. Louis Rams selected Aaron Donald with the 13th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, they knew they were getting a talented defensive tackle from Pittsburgh. Still, Aaron Donald had to prove that his college success could continue in the NFL.

He did that very quickly.

From his rookie season through 2017, Donald became one of the most important defensive players in the league. He earned Pro Bowl selections, First-team All-Pro honors, and major NFL awards. By the end of 2017, he had also won his first NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.

A Strong Rookie Season

Donald joined the St. Louis Rams in 2014 and quickly became a key part of the defense. Playing defensive tackle in the NFL is difficult, especially for a rookie. Offensive linemen are bigger, stronger, and more experienced, while young players also have to learn new defensive systems and adjust to the speed of professional football.

Aaron Donald had little trouble making that adjustment.

He played all 16 games and started 12. He finished the season with 47 combined tackles, including 37 solo tackles. He also recorded nine sacks, forced two fumbles, and had one pass deflection.

His quickness and strength allowed him to create pressure from the middle of the defensive line. As the season went on, he became more comfortable and showed that he could be much more than a young player learning the game.

His performance earned him the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl and named to the NFL All-Rookie Team.

Taking Another Step in 2015

Aaron Donald entered the 2015 season as a starting defensive tackle and immediately showed that he had improved.

In the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, he recorded nine tackles and two sacks during the Rams’ 34–31 overtime win. He earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance.

Donald continued making plays throughout the season. Against the Chicago Bears, he had seven tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery. Against the Baltimore Ravens, he recorded nine tackles and one sack.

He finished the 2015 season with 69 combined tackles, 43 solo tackles, and 11 sacks. He also had one pass deflection and a fumble recovery.

Aaron Donald made the Pro Bowl for the second straight year and earned his first First-team All-Pro selection. In only two seasons, he had gone from Defensive Rookie of the Year to one of the NFL’s top defensive tackles.

The Move to Los Angeles

In 2016, the Rams moved from St. Louis to Los Angeles. Aaron Donald remained one of the team’s most important defensive players.

The season started with a difficult moment. In the opener against the San Francisco 49ers, Donald recorded three solo tackles but was ejected late in the fourth quarter for illegal contact with an official. He was later fined $21,269.

He quickly moved forward and returned to making plays.

Against the Arizona Cardinals, Aaron Donald recorded five tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in a 17–13 Rams victory. He earned another NFC Defensive Player of the Week award.

He also recorded two sacks against the Carolina Panthers and had a strip sack of Drew Brees against the New Orleans Saints.

Donald finished the 2016 season with 47 combined tackles, 35 solo tackles, eight sacks, five pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. He made his third straight Pro Bowl and earned his second straight First-team All-Pro honor.

The 2017 Contract Dispute

The beginning of the 2017 season was different for Aaron Donald. The Rams exercised the fifth-year option on his contract, but Donald did not report to training camp or play in the preseason because of a contract dispute.

His absence resulted in about $1.4 million in fines, along with lost game checks for regular-season games he missed.

Donald reported to the Rams on September 9 and passed his physical. He did not play in the season opener but returned in Week 2 against the Washington Redskins.

In Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers, he recorded three tackles and a late sack of Brian Hoyer. The Rams won 41–39.

After returning, Aaron Donald quickly found his form. He recorded sacks in four games between Weeks 6 and 10 and also forced three fumbles during that stretch.

A Dominant 2017 Season

Donald finished the 2017 regular season with 41 combined tackles, 32 solo tackles, 11 sacks, five forced fumbles, and one pass deflection in 14 games.

One of his best performances came against the Seattle Seahawks. Donald recorded five tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble in the Rams’ 42–7 road victory.

The Rams finished the season 11–5 and won the NFC West. Donald earned his fourth straight Pro Bowl selection and his third First-team All-Pro honor.

Most importantly, he was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the first time.

By the end of the season, Aaron Donald had already collected some of the biggest honors in the league. He had won Defensive Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, made four straight Pro Bowls, and earned three First-team All-Pro selections.

His first four seasons had taken him from a promising rookie in St. Louis to one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive tackles in Los Angeles. Aaron Donald had become the kind of player opposing offenses had to plan for every week.

Peak Dominance: 2018–2020

By the start of the 2018 NFL season, Aaron Donald was already one of the best defensive players in the league. He had won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2017 and had become a player every offense had to prepare for.

From 2018 to 2020, Donald took his game to an even higher level. He set a career-high in sacks, won the Defensive Player of the Year award twice more, reached the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams, and continued earning Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro honors.

A Record Contract in 2018

Donald entered the 2018 season after holding out during the offseason while he and the Rams worked on a new contract. On August 31, 2018, they agreed to a six-year, $135 million contract extension, including $87 million guaranteed.

At the time, it made Aaron Donald the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.

The deal showed how important Donald had become to the Rams. As a defensive tackle, he had to fight through blocks, stop running plays, and create pressure from the middle of the offensive line. He could do all of those jobs while also producing sacks at an outstanding rate.

A Special 2018 Season

Aaron Donald quickly showed why the Rams had made such a major investment in him. In Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings, he recorded five tackles and two sacks. He added another sack against the Seattle Seahawks and another against the Denver Broncos.

Then came one of his best games.

In Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers, Aaron Donald recorded nine tackles, four sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in the Rams’ 39–10 road win. He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

The following week, he added two sacks against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.

Aaron Donald finished the 2018 regular season with 20.5 sacks, the highest total of his career. He also had 59 combined tackles, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two pass deflections. He played all 16 games, led the NFL in sacks, and earned another Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro selection.

He was also named NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season.

The Rams Reach Super Bowl LIII

The Rams had a strong 2018 season and reached the playoffs. They defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Round and then beat the New Orleans Saints in overtime in the NFC Championship Game.

That sent Los Angeles to Super Bowl LIII against the New England Patriots.

The game was played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and became a defensive battle. The Patriots won 13–3, but reaching the Super Bowl was still a major moment in Donald’s career.

The Rams had become an NFC champion, and Aaron Donald was one of the most important players on their defense.

Staying Great in 2019

Donald entered the 2019 season with very high expectations. Although he did not match his 20.5 sacks from the previous year, he remained one of the NFL’s most dangerous defensive players.

He played all 16 games and finished with 48 combined tackles, 12.5 sacks, two pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.

He recorded two sacks against Nick Foles and the Chicago Bears and added 1.5 sacks against both the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks. He also recorded 1.5 sacks against the San Francisco 49ers late in the season.

Aaron Donald was selected to his sixth Pro Bowl and earned another First-team All-Pro honor. His consistency had become one of the biggest parts of his reputation.

Another Dominant Season in 2020

Donald entered the 2020 season as the centerpiece of the Rams’ defensive line. He opened the season with a sack of Dak Prescott during the Rams’ 20–17 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Against the Buffalo Bills, he recorded six tackles and two sacks, including a strip sack. Another standout performance came in Week 5 against the Washington Football Team. Aaron Donald recorded four solo tackles and four sacks, including a strip sack, in the Rams’ 30–10 road victory. He was again named NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

He continued to record sacks later in the season against teams including the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, and Seattle Seahawks.

Donald finished the 2020 season with 45 combined tackles, 13.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one pass deflection. He was selected to the Pro Bowl and earned another First-team All-Pro honor.

Most importantly, he won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award for the third time.

Why Donald Was So Difficult to Stop

Donald’s success came from more than just his sack numbers. His quick first step allowed him to attack before blockers could fully react. His strength helped him fight through contact, while his technique allowed him to use different moves against offensive linemen.

He could also affect a play without recording a sack. Offenses often had to give him extra attention, which could create opportunities for his teammates.

From 2018 through 2020, Aaron Donald became one of the most feared defensive players in football. He recorded 20.5 sacks in 2018, 12.5 in 2019, and 13.5 in 2020. He also won three Defensive Player of the Year awards in four seasons and reached a Super Bowl with the Rams.

By 2020, Donald was widely regarded as one of the NFL’s top defensive tackles.

Super Bowl LVI, Final Rams Seasons and Retirement

The 2021 season was one of the most important years of Aaron Donald’s NFL career. He had already become a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, a regular Pro Bowl player, and one of the most respected defensive players in the league. But one big achievement was still missing from his career: a Super Bowl championship.

The Los Angeles Rams gave Aaron Donald another chance to compete for the title. He responded with another strong season and helped the Rams reach the Super Bowl.

A Strong 2021 Season

Donald played all 17 regular-season games in 2021 and recorded a career-high 84 combined tackles. He also had 12.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and four pass deflections.

The 84 tackles were the most he had recorded in a single NFL season. As a defensive tackle, Aaron Donald was expected to make plays in the middle of the defensive line, but he continued to find ways to stay involved throughout games.

He was selected to the Pro Bowl again and earned First-team All-Pro honors. However, individual awards were no longer his main goal. Aaron Donald wanted to win a championship.

The Rams’ Playoff Run

The Rams entered the playoffs with a talented team. In the Wild Card Round, they faced the Arizona Cardinals and won 34–11. Donald recorded a tackle and half a sack in the victory.

The next challenge was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by Tom Brady. The Rams built a big lead, but Tampa Bay came back and made the game very close. Los Angeles eventually won 30–27. Aaron Donald finished with five tackles, one sack, and one pass deflection.

In the NFC Championship Game, the Rams faced the San Francisco 49ers. Los Angeles fell behind but fought back to win 20–17. Aaron Donald recorded three tackles, and his pressure on quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo helped create the game-sealing interception.

The victory sent the Rams to Super Bowl LVI.

Super Bowl LVI

Super Bowl LVI was played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, giving the Rams the chance to play for the championship in their home stadium. Their opponent was the Cincinnati Bengals.

The game stayed close throughout. The Rams took an early lead, but the Bengals continued to fight and eventually moved ahead in the fourth quarter.

Los Angeles needed one more big defensive effort. Aaron Donald played an important role during the final defensive series. He helped create pressure on quarterback Joe Burrow as the Rams worked to stop Cincinnati from scoring again.

The Bengals could not finish the drive, and the Rams won 23–20.

For Donald, the victory was especially meaningful. After years of individual success, he finally had a Super Bowl championship.

The 2022 Season and 100th Sack

Aaron Donald returned for the 2022 season as a defending Super Bowl champion. However, the year did not go as planned. He played in 11 games before an ankle injury ended his season.

He finished the year with 49 combined tackles, 27 solo tackles, five sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass deflection.

Even with the injury, Donald reached an important career milestone. He recorded his 100th career sack, becoming one of the few defensive tackles to reach that mark.

His Final NFL Season

Donald returned in 2023 and played in all 16 regular-season games. He recorded 53 combined tackles, 28 solo tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles, and three pass deflections.

He was also selected to the Pro Bowl for the 10th time. Aaron Donald had made the Pro Bowl in every season from 2014 through 2023. He also earned his eighth First-team All-Pro selection.

These achievements showed that Donald was still playing at a high level after nearly a decade in the NFL.

Retirement in 2024

After 10 seasons in the NFL, Aaron Donald decided it was time to step away from football.

On March 15, 2024, he announced his retirement from the NFL. He spent his entire 10-year career with the Rams, from his time with the franchise in St. Louis through its move to Los Angeles.

By the time he retired, Donald had achieved almost everything a player could hope for. He had won a Super Bowl, earned three Defensive Player of the Year awards, made 10 Pro Bowls, received eight First-team All-Pro honors, and reached 100 career sacks.

He finished his NFL career with 111 sacks and 543 total tackles.

Donald also changed the way many people viewed the defensive tackle position. He showed that an interior defensive lineman could be a major threat as a pass rusher and could become one of the most important defensive players on a team.

When he left the NFL in 2024, Aaron Donald walked away as a Super Bowl champion and one of the most decorated defensive players of his generation. His 10-year career with the Rams had reached a natural ending after a long run of individual success, team success, and memorable moments.

Aaron Donald in 2026: Comeback, Legacy, Records and Personal Life

Aaron Donald’s football story took another turn in 2026. After playing 10 seasons in the NFL, Donald retired in March 2024. At that point, he had already won three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards, eight First-team All-Pro honors, 10 Pro Bowl selections, and a Super Bowl championship.

But football was not completely finished with Aaron Donald.

In 2025, the University of Pittsburgh retired his No. 97 jersey. Then, in 2026, he was selected for the College Football Hall of Fame. Now, at age 35, Aaron Donald has made another major decision. He is returning to the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams.

Aaron Donald’s Pitt Legacy

Donald has always had a strong connection to Pittsburgh. He grew up in the city and later played college football at the University of Pittsburgh from 2010 through 2013.

On November 15, 2025, Pitt retired his No. 97 jersey during the team’s game against Notre Dame at Acrisure Stadium. Donald became only the 11th Pitt football player to receive the honor.

His college numbers help explain why. Donald finished his Pitt career with 181 tackles, 66 tackles for loss, 29.5 sacks, and six forced fumbles. His 66 tackles for loss remain a Pitt career record, while his 28.5 tackles for loss in 2013 remain a school single-season record.

His final college season was especially impressive. He won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Outland Trophy, and Rotary Lombardi Award. He was also a unanimous First-team All-American and ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

College Football Hall of Fame

Donald received another major honor in 2026 when he was named part of the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class.

The recognition added to an impressive list of achievements from his college career. He became the 21st Pitt player selected for the College Football Hall of Fame.

For Donald, the honor was another reminder of how far he had come since his early days in Pittsburgh.

Aaron Donald Returns to the Rams

Aaron Donald had been away from NFL football for more than two years when the comeback conversation started in 2026.

The situation became even more interesting after the Rams acquired Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns on June 1, 2026. Garrett had just won his second NFL Defensive Player of the Year award and had set the NFL single-season sack record with 23 sacks.

The possibility of Donald and Garrett playing together immediately caught the attention of football fans.

Donald began seriously testing his body for a possible return. He completed an official workout with the Rams on August 5 and another workout on August 16. Rams head coach Sean McVay said Donald looked very good, but the team did not want to rush the decision.

Then, on August 30, 2026, Aaron Donald officially announced that he was coming out of retirement.

He agreed to a one-year contract worth $20 million that can reach $30 million with incentives, including playoff-related incentives.

A Different Role at Age 35

Donald returns to the Rams at 35, so his role is expected to be different from his prime years.

He does not need to play almost every defensive snap as he did earlier in his career. The Rams have several other defensive linemen, including Myles Garrett, Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Poona Ford, and Byron Young.

That depth could allow the Rams to manage Donald’s workload. He can be used in important situations, especially when the team needs pressure on the quarterback.

His experience could also be valuable in big games. However, Donald has not played in an NFL game since the 2023 season, so returning to game speed will be an important part of his comeback.

Aaron Donald’s NFL Career

Before his retirement, Donald built one of the strongest defensive résumés in NFL history.

He finished his original career with:

• 111 career sacks
• 543 total tackles
• 176 tackles for loss
• 24 forced fumbles
• 10 Pro Bowl selections
• 8 First-team All-Pro selections
• 3 Defensive Player of the Year awards
• 1 Defensive Rookie of the Year award
• 1 Super Bowl championship

His 111 sacks are especially notable because Aaron Donald played primarily as an interior defensive tackle. His best season came in 2018, when he recorded 20.5 sacks.

Donald was selected to the Pro Bowl in every season from 2014 through 2023. He also earned First-team All-Pro honors eight times, showing how consistently he performed at an elite level.

Super Bowl Champion

One of the biggest moments of Donald’s career came with the Rams in Super Bowl LVI.

Los Angeles defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23–20, giving Donald his first Super Bowl championship. Donald played an important role during the Rams’ final defensive series as Los Angeles stopped the Bengals from scoring on their last possession.

That victory completed an important part of his career.

Life Beyond Football

Donald has also stayed active away from the field. According to the National Football Foundation, he lives in Los Angeles and is a co-owner of Ready Nutrition.

He also created the AD99 Solutions Foundation in 2019. The foundation focuses on helping underserved young people and communities with areas such as education, nutrition, and community opportunities.

Aaron Donald has also remained connected to Pitt. In 2019, he made a seven-figure contribution to the Pitt Football Championship Fund. The university later named part of the Duratz Athletic Complex the Aaron Donald Football Performance Center.

Aaron Donald’s Lasting Legacy

Donald’s legacy is about more than his statistics. He changed the way people viewed the defensive tackle position by showing how dominant an interior defensive lineman could become.

He won Defensive Rookie of the Year, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, eight First-team All-Pro honors, and 10 Pro Bowls. He became a Super Bowl champion and finished his original career with 111 sacks.

Now, his return in 2026 gives him one more opportunity to compete.

At 35, Aaron Donald does not need to prove that he belongs among football’s greats. His legacy is already secure. But his comeback with the Rams, especially alongside Myles Garrett, gives fans another reason to watch.

The Pittsburgh kid who became one of the NFL’s greatest defensive players is back for another season. Whatever happens during his comeback, Aaron Donald has already left a lasting mark on the NFL.