The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently in an era where they are attempting to replicate the famous "Steel Curtain", with stars all over the field on the defense in 2024. Adding a future Hall of Famer with a former defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams, Aaron Donald, would have secured the new curtain for the Steelers. With a tiny glimpse of hope that Donald could return to Pittsburgh to finish his career, all hope was lost when Donald announced his retirement from the NFL.
-544x306.jpg "Aaron Donald explains why he decided to retire from Rams - Los Angeles Times")
Los Angeles Times
Steelers unable to land Aaron Donald and the star explains why he decided to retire from Rams - Los Angeles Times
Donald, a Pittsburgh native, will go down as one of the best defensive linemen to ever play the game of football. Donald earned a Pro Bowl selection in each of his ten years with the Rams, winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award three times.
Donald was raised and grew up near Pittsburgh and would eventually head to the University of Pittsburgh. Unfortunately, after being drafted by the Rams, Donald would never return to play for his hometown’s professional team.
The Athletic
Steelers never had a chance to land Aaron Donald, Inside the recruitment of Donald: How Pitt found an underrated gem who turned into a Super Bowl headliner - The Athletic
In a recent exclusive interview with Donald, the star reflected on his career with the Rams and touched on the possibility of him returning to the Steel City to finish his career there. Donald stated that he never had any intention returning back to the Steel City to play for the Steelers.
"I never thought of it. I love the Rams. I don't want to retire nowhere else but with the Rams."
Donald was extremely loyal to his head coach Sean McVay in Los Angeles, making it clear he would never play for anyone else, not even Mike Tomlin. Donald and McVay would lead the Rams to win a Super Bowl in 2021, securing Donald's future spot in the Hall of Fame. Donald had the game sealing play to secure the Lombardi Trophy for the Rams.
"The relationship, the bond we got, I feel like it's special, it's beyond football. All the personal stuff that was going on, he helped me with a lot of stuff too. For me, that's way deeper than football. That's real love. I wouldn't want to be playing for any other coach than I got right there."
Donald announced his retirement from football this offseason, crushing any hopes in Pittsburgh that he would return for the black and gold. Donald spent ten years in the NFL, and spent all ten of them with the Rams. Donald will look to end up in the Hall of Fame some day, as it is well deserved.
Steelers' TJ Watt Recognized By Donald
After talking about his time with the Rams and the possibility of a return to Pittsburgh, Donald touched on the recent Defensive Player of the Year controversy. Donald admitted that Steelers' star linebacker TJ Watt was snubbed of the award multiple times, also stating that Watt should probably have just as many DPOY Awards as he does. Watt only has one of the awards under his belt, which was earned in the 2021 season. Watt was most notably known for being snubbed in 2020 and 2023.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers Edge Rusher TJ Watt is irreplaceable, but the Steelers have been forced to design contingency plans due to unfortunate injuries
Donald and Watt have proven over the last six years that they are two of the most dominant forces in all of football consistently. It would have been a sight to see to have both of these stars in the same uniform, and it would have been a quarterbacks most feared nightmare to have to face such a force. Steelers fans will have to let go of that fantasy, as Donald is not returning to the football field.
What do you think? Should Donald have considered coming back home to Pittsburgh? It certainly would have helped with the Steelers' hopes of reaching their seventh Super Bowl victory. Let us know in the comments below.
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