Who is better: Myles Garrett vs Aaron Donald - Career earnings, net worth, salary, contracts, overall stats, physique, strength, size, and more

The thing about Aaron Donald even being in the news is the widespread expectation that he could come out of retirement for another Super Bowl win, now that a powerhouse of talent has entered the Los Angeles Rams sphere: Myles Garrett.The former Cleveland Browns star had been hungry for a Super Bowl. Despite his team’s 5-12 record in the 2025 season, he won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. But the moment he was traded to Los Angeles, Donald said he wanted to return.He could become a double threat alongside Garrett. For that reason, we need to compare these two elite defenders. Based on what? Their career earnings, overall stats, physique, strength, size, and more.For beginners, physique, strength, and size are not synonyms. They are three separate entities. Physique refers to the overall appearance and composition of your body. Size refers to muscle mass or overall body volume. And strength is your ability to produce force and lift or move heavy objects.Okay, now that’s out of the way, let’s get back to comparing these two elite defensive linemen, shall we?Myles Garrett career earnings, net worth, contracts, salary, and overall statsMyles Garrett was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 2017 NFL Draft as the first overall pick in the first round; the same year that elite players like Patrick Mahomes, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Marshon Lattimore were drafted.Anyhow, Garrett signed a four-year, $30 million contract in May 2017. He then signed a five-year, $125 million contract in July 2020. In August 2023, his contract was restructured.In March 2025, Garrett signed a four-year, $160 million contract. But a year later, he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in June 2026 for Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick.Two days later, he signed a massive, record-breaking five-year, $208 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams. The deal includes a $37 million signing bonus, $99 million in guaranteed money, and a $41 million average annual salary.In 2026, the Texas A&M alum is scheduled to earn a $1.3 million base salary and a $35 million signing bonus while carrying an $8 million cap hit and a $78 million dead-cap value.According to Spotrac, his total career earnings over nine seasons are $150 million. His estimated net worth in 2026 is $60 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.Over nine seasons, Garrett has accumulated 125.5 sacks, 293 solo tackles, and 23 forced fumbles in 134 games.The 30-year-old defensive end is a seven-time Pro Bowler, five-time First-Team All-Pro, two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, among other awards and NFL records.Aaron Donald career earnings, overall stats, net worth, and contractAaron Donald was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the 2014 NFL Draft as the 13th overall pick in the first round; the same year that elite players like Mike Evans, Odell Beckham Jr., Derek Carr, Khalil Mack, Zack Martin, Joel Bitonio, and Davante Adams were drafted.Anyhow, Donald signed a four-year, $10 million contract with the St. Louis Rams in June 2014. He then signed a six-year, $135 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams [formerly St. Louis Rams] in August 2018.In March 2021, Donald’s contract was restructured, with $18 million of his 2021 salary converted into a bonus to clear $13.5 million in cap space for the franchise.In June 2022, he signed a three-year, $95 million contract extension with the Rams. In July 2024, Donald retired from professional football.Two years later, Donald said he wanted to return after watching his longtime franchise add powerhouse talent, Myles Garrett. Donald already has one Super Bowl title. If he returns alongside Garrett, he could potentially win his second championship and help Garrett win his first.As for Donald’s financial picture?According to Spotrac, his total career earnings over 10 seasons are $157 million. His estimated net worth in 2026 is $60 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth [same as Garrett].Over 10 seasons, Donald accumulated 111.0 sacks, 340 solo tackles, and 24 forced fumbles in 154 games.The 35-year-old defensive tackle is a 10-time Pro Bowler, eight-time First-Team All-Pro, one-time Super Bowl champion, one-time NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, and three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, among other awards.Myles Garrett vs Aaron Donald physique, size, and strength comparisonCategoryAaron DonaldMyles GarrettSize6-foot-1 [1.85 m], ~280 lbs [play weight leaned down to ~250–260 lbs]6-foot-4 [1.93 m], 272 lbs [82-inch wingspan]PhysiqueExtremely compact, highly shredded, low body-fat percentage with a low center of gravityTowering, chiseled, incredibly lean frame with spring-loaded hips and long leversStrengthFreakish functional power; 35 bench press reps [225 lbs], exceptional leverage to bull-rush much heavier interior linemenElite raw power; 33 bench press reps [225 lbs], devastating speed-to-power bull rush off the edgeGet the latest Sports News and Live updates. 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