Aaron Donald, a defensive tackle with the Rams, announced his retirement from the NFL on Friday, capping one of the most illustrious careers in team and league history.
Rams Owner/Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke stated, "We are so grateful for Aaron's dedication to greatness and for leading our franchise on and off the field for the past ten years."
"He has inspired countless football fans throughout the world with his achievements, work ethic, and passion. He has left his mark on a generation of football fans."
In former Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks, the 49ers appear to have found that man after two days of free agency.
Securing three NFL Defensive Player of the Year titles in league history, the Super Bowl LVI victor exits the field having racked up 111 sacks in ten seasons.
. In eight of his ten seasons, he recorded at least eight sacks. He was selected, unanimously, as one of the six players for the NFL 2010 All-Decade Team.
.In Week 3 of the 2022 season, Donald became the fastest defensive tackle in NFL history to reach 100 career sacks.
Hall of Famer John Randle (137.5) is the first player in the 100-plus sacks club who spent the most of his career as a defensive tackle since individual sacks were first counted in 1982.
When Donald surpassed Leonard Little's 87.5 sacks in Week 5 of that season against the Seahawks, he set a new record for the Rams in terms of career sacks.