Sean McVay: Aaron Donald's Contract, Rams Future Will Be Addressed at 'Right Time'

Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald may not be thinking about retirement right now, but his head coach is aware there will be conversations that take place at some point this offseason about his future.

Speaking to reporters at his end-of-season press conference, Sean McVay said the Rams will talk with Donald at the "right time" about his contract and future with the organization:

"I think those conversations occur at the appropriate time. There's so much emotion that takes place right after a game and after a season. ... And even I was reading earlier, you see [Eagles center] Jason Kelce, there's all these assumptions and things like that and so I think you give guys the chance to really just digest the season, coaches and players alike, and then we'll address all those things at the right time."

Following their Super Bowl victory in the 2021 season, the Rams restructured Donald's contract to guarantee him $65 million through 2023. The move didn't add any additional years to his deal, which is set to expire after next season.

Donald has teased retirement in each of the past two years. He reportedly got very close to walking away after winning the Super Bowl that he had his agent send a retirement letter to the Rams before opting to keep playing.

There seemed to be less inclination on Donald's part to retire after the 2022 season. He told reporters in May 2023 "it never really crossed my mind" because he didn't want to end his career coming off a year in which he dealt with injuries and the Rams struggled so much.

This season was a terrific bounce-back year for Donald and the Rams. He led all defensive tackles with 16 tackles for loss and had eight sacks in 16 games.

Los Angeles surpassed most preseason projections by going 10-7 and making the playoffs. Its season came to an end on Sunday with a 24-23 loss to the Detroit Lions in the NFC Wild Card Game.

Donald, who turns 33 on May 23, has spent his entire career with the Rams. He was originally drafted with the No. 13 pick in the 2014 NFL draft. He's made the Pro Bowl in each of his first 10 seasons and has been named Defensive Player of the Year three times.