Net Worth Ranker
What Is Aaron Donald’s Net Worth?
Aaron Donald, a celebrated American professional football player, has accumulated a net worth of $60 million as of 2025. His wealth primarily stems from his successful career in the National Football League (NFL), most notably with the Los Angeles Rams, along with endorsements and strategic investments.
Aaron Donald’s Contractual Earnings and Retirement
Donald’s financial success is heavily tied to his lucrative contracts with the Rams. In 2018, he inked a six-year deal worth $135 million, which included a guaranteed sum of $87 million. At the time, this contract set a record, making him the highest-paid defensive player in the league. However, T.J. Watt of the Steelers has since surpassed this figure with a $28 million per year contract. Between June 2018 and June 2019 alone, Donald earned $40 million through his salary and endorsement deals. By the time he announced his retirement on March 15, 2024, after a decade in the NFL, Donald had amassed $157 million in earnings. At the time of his retirement announcement, he was reportedly owed another $20 million, the status of which remains uncertain.
Early Life and Collegiate Career
Born on May 23, 1991, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Aaron Donald’s early life laid the foundation for his future success. Growing up in the Lincoln-Lemington-Belmar neighborhood, he attended Penn Hills High School, where his football prowess began to shine. In his senior year, he recorded 63 tackles and 11 sacks, showcasing his potential. Despite receiving scholarship offers from Akron, Rutgers, and Toledo, Donald chose to stay close to home and committed to the University of Pittsburgh. As a freshman with the Pittsburgh Panthers, he played as a reserve defensive end in all 13 games, contributing 11 tackles. His sophomore year marked a turning point, as he moved into the starting lineup and recorded 47 tackles and 11 sacks. As a junior, Donald continued to excel, posting 64 tackles and earning a first-team All-Big East selection. His senior year was particularly impressive, with 59 tackles and 11 sacks, earning him the ACC Defensive Player of the Year award and unanimous All-American honors. These achievements significantly boosted his profile leading up to the NFL Draft and contributed indirectly to his future earning potential and his growing **net worth**.
Professional Career with the Rams
In the 2014 NFL Draft, Aaron Donald was selected by the St. Louis Rams as the 13th overall pick in the first round, marking the beginning of his professional career. His regular-season debut came in September against the Minnesota Vikings, followed by his first NFL sack in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Donald concluded his rookie season with 47 tackles and nine sacks in 16 games, earning him the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. The 2015 season saw him excel as a starting defensive tackle, earning his first NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors after a strong performance against the Seattle Seahawks. He received the same honor again in Week 14, recording a career-high three sacks against the Detroit Lions. Donald finished his second season with 69 tackles and 11 sacks, receiving a first-team All-Pro selection.
In 2016, the Rams relocated to Los Angeles. Donald faced some challenges early in the season, including an ejection and fines for unsportsmanlike conduct. However, he bounced back and earned his third NFC Defensive Player of the Week award after helping the Rams defeat the Arizona Cardinals. Despite further fines, Donald finished the regular season with 47 tackles and eight sacks. In 2017, despite contract disputes at the beginning of the season, Donald was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, along with Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro selections. 2018 was his best season yet, earning him the NFC Defensive Player of the Month award for October, with 17 tackles and eight sacks. In Week 16, he set a new single-season sack record with 19.5 total sacks, increasing it to 20.5 in the regular-season finale. Donald was named a first-team All-Pro and earned his second straight NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. In the postseason, he helped the Rams to Super Bowl LIII, where they lost to the New England Patriots.
Donald continued his strong performance in 2019, finishing with 48 tackles and 12.5 sacks, earning him another Pro Bowl selection and NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 11. He was selected for the Pro Bowl again in the following season, recording 45 tackles and 13.5 sacks, and earned his third NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. In 2021, Donald faced some disciplinary issues but also achieved significant success on the field. He was fined $10,000 for choking Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Lucas Patrick in Week 12 and faced similar accusations during the Wild Card round. Despite these incidents, he recorded an impressive regular-season record of 84 tackles and 12.5 sacks. Donald played a crucial role in helping the Rams reach Super Bowl LVI, where they defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20, marking the team’s first Super Bowl title since 1999 and their first in Los Angeles. This victory significantly boosted his public image, contributing to future endorsement opportunities that further improved his **net worth**.
Real Estate Investments
Aaron Donald and his wife Erica demonstrated their acumen for investment beyond football, particularly in real estate. In March 2019, they purchased a home in a gated community in Calabasas, California, for $4.7 million. This community is known for its celebrity residents, adding prestige to the investment. The house is located within a secure and exclusive neighborhood. In April 2022, the Donalds listed this property for sale at $6.25 million, indicating a potential profit of $1.55 million if sold at the asking price. This reflects a sound financial strategy, leveraging his earnings to invest in assets that can appreciate over time. The specific address of the property remains private, as is typical with high-profile residents, to protect their privacy and security.
Personal Life and Family
Aaron Donald has two children, Jaeda and Aaron Jr., from a previous relationship with Jaelynn Blakey. He is currently married to Erica Sherman, who previously worked in marketing for the Los Angeles Rams and later joined the Hollywood production company game1. Together, they have a son named Aaric. His family life and relationships, while personal, indirectly play a role in his public persona and brand, which can influence endorsement deals and contribute to his **net worth**.
