Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald clarified his playing status after retirement rumors ran rampant after he changed his Twitter bio.
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald created quite an unintentional stir on social media. It was spotted by various Twitter users that Donald had changed his bio to “Former Pitt Football Player #97 former NFL D lineman for the Rams #99,” from “Former Pitt Football Player #97 Now NFL D Lineman for the Rams #99.” Donald has since changed it, but the talk of retirement continued.
During an appearance on “The Season with Peter Schrager,” Donald’s former teammate Chris Long expressed his belief that Donald will play in 2023. Schrager clipped Long’s comments in a tweet, and Donald himself responded to it, saying “tell em C Lo yeah I’m playn [sic] never said I wasn’t.”
Tell em C Lo yeah I’m playn never said I wasn’t 🤦🏽♂️🤷🏽♂️
— AD_99 (@AaronDonald97) January 18, 2023
Aaron Donald brings end to retirement talk, says he’s playing in 2023
Perhaps there’s no better source than the player himself. So yes, Donald will be playing in 2023.
There has been retirement talk surrounding Donald ever since Super Bowl 56. Ahead of kickoff, NBC Sports analyst and former New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison said that if the Rams won the Super Bowl, there was a “strong possibility” that Donald could retire. The Rams won that game 23-20, but he returned for the 2022 season.
This past season, Donald recorded 49 total tackles, 11 quarterback hits, 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, and two defended passes. He missed the team’s final six games due to a high-ankle sprain.
When the Rams season ended, there were discussions about head coach Sean McVay potentially stepping away from the team, which would leave them in need of a sideline boss. However, the Rams announced on Jan. 13 that McVay will return for the 2023 season.
Now, there is confirmation from Donald that he will be playing next season.