Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald has announced his retirement from the NFL. So quarterbacks, running backs, and interior offensive linemen rejoice as your lives have become a lot less terrifying.
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Donald has tallied 543 career tackles, including 111 sacks, 24 forced fumbles, and 7 fumble recoveries. He has done this all in ten seasons, retiring at the age of only 32 (still playing at an elite level).
Donald’s stats may not seem overwhelming, but it is important to look at the conditions these stats come under. In 2024, Donald was double-teamed on 63% of all defensive snaps, with a pass rush win rate of 20% (which just so happened to lead all interior defensive linemen).
Now the only question remaining for Donald is: Is he the GOAT? In my opinion, there are two levels to that debate.
He is the greatest interior defensive lineman of all time. I know there’s Joe Greene and Warren Sapp, but no one has been as successful as Donald even while being double-teamed and sometimes even triple-teamed.
Now, is he the greatest defensive player of all time? No. Two words. Lawrence Taylor. If Donald were to play another few seasons, yes, he very well could be the GOAT.
But due to his early retirement, I still ride with LT. Either way, Aaron Donald is a unanimous first ballot hall of fame and a top-three defensive player of all time.
3 responses to “The Greatest Defensive Player of All Time? Aaron Donald Retirement”
Not “mean” Joe greene
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