While I will certainly miss him, I'm glad he knew when it was time and got out when he did. Working at the intensity he did, day in, day out, for years on end will burn someone out, and it's probably even harder to keep going when you've accomplished everything you wanted to accomplish in that particular endeavor. He's accomplished it all in football.
I'm also glad that we are never going to see a diminished AD. Had he stuck around and retired after 15 seasons instead of 10, we would have had to watch him decline in production and ability, and that's something I don't want to see. It would be like seeing Unitas in a Chargers uniform, just sad all the way around. While I think AD is past his peak of about 2-3 seasons ago, he was at about 95% of it this year. But what about at the end of a 2024 season for him? 2025? 2026? Athletes can get old really fast. Remember how fast Matt Ryan went downhill once age caught up to him? Or, in another sport, any boxing fans remember how fast Roy Jones got old?
If AD stays retired, we'll never have to see that in him. So as painful as it is losing him now, there is that silver lining which wouldn't be there if we had to watch him decline.
Best of luck in retirement, AD. However, if you want to spend your retirement hanging out at Rams park, watching over players, and giving the trademarked AD side-eye to anyone who's not putting in at least 100%, you are more than welcome to do so