The obvious answer is no.
When a player retires and the first reaction becomes, “Was that the greatest defensive tackle career ever?” rather than “Did he do enough?”, the resume is probably complete. But sports fans never really stop imagining alternate endings, especially when the player involved is someone like Aaron Donald.
Donald retired after only 10 seasons, which somehow feels short and complete at the same time. He didn’t hang around chasing numbers. He left while still playing at an elite
level. That alone adds to the mythology.
Still, for entertainment purposes, it is worth asking: if Donald ever wanted to add one more chapter, what would even be left?
Part I: Accolades — The Resume Is Complete
Donald’s résumé reads less like a career summary and more like a custom Madden build.
His NFL accomplishments include:
- 10× Pro Bowl selection
- 8× First-Team All-Pro
- 3× Defensive Player of the Year (2017, 2018, 2020)
- 1× Super Bowl Champion (Super Bowl LVI)
- NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
- NFL 2010s All-Decade Team
- One of the most dominant interior defenders in league history
And then there are the production numbers.
Career totals:
- 543 total tackles
- 111.0 sacks
- 176 tackles for loss
- 24 forced fumbles
The sack total especially stands out because Donald did it almost entirely from defensive tackle. Edge rushers are supposed to dominate that category. Interior defenders are not supposed to post triple-digit sacks.
Officially, Donald retired tied for 26th all-time in career sacks, and among defensive tackles his position-specific standing is even more impressive.
There is also context that numbers cannot fully explain.
Donald spent years facing double teams, chips, slide protections, and game plans built entirely around preventing him from wrecking drives. Yet offenses still could not stop him consistently.
That is why asking whether something is missing from his résumé almost feels unfair.
The trophy case already looks finished.
Part II: Potential Accolades to Add — Because Sports Fans Can Dream
Now for the fun part.
If Donald ever decided football had one more act left, there are still a few achievements that would move from legendary into almost impossible territory.
First Ever 4× Defensive Player of the Year
Donald already shares the record with three Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Winning a fourth would give him something nobody in NFL history has accomplished.
Imagine the storyline: retire, return, immediately reclaim the title as the best defensive player in football.
That would not just strengthen his Hall of Fame case—it would probably end a lot of greatest-defender-ever debates.
Super Bowl LXI MVP
Donald already owns the ring.
But defensive players almost never capture Super Bowl MVP, and interior defensive linemen almost never dominate that stage the way Donald can.
Picture it:
Late in Super Bowl LXI. Fourth quarter. One-score game.
Donald records two sacks, forces a fumble, and closes out the championship.
Instead of being remembered only as the closer of Super Bowl LVI, he becomes the face of another title run.
Would that make his résumé better?
Technically, yes.
Would it make it necessary?
Not even close.
Aaron Donald already finished football with one of the most complete defensive résumés the league has ever seen. Everything else from this point forward would simply be adding decoration to a finished masterpiece.
