Aaron Donald might actually come out of retirement, and it’s all because the Los Angeles Rams pulled off a massive blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett. The Rams sent Jared Verse and a package of draft picks to the Cleveland Browns to land Garrett, which immediately led to rumors that Donald wants back in.
Vincent Bonsignore from the California Post is reporting that Donald is “seriously contemplating” a comeback. Head coach Sean McVay isn’t shutting it down either, admitting he’s been talking to Donald about what it would look like to pair him up with Garrett.
Since Donald is still technically on the Rams’ reserve/retired list, bringing him back is structurally simple. Plus, the Rams have over $20 million in cap space, so making the money work won’t be an issue.
Former Pittsburgh Panther and retired NFL defensive tackle Aaron Donald speaks at a press conference prior to the start of the Pittsburgh Panthers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish game at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on November 15, 2025.
That possibility puts a very different kind of pressure on Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
Why Aaron Donald’s return should raise Jacoby Brissett’s price tag
Brissett, 33, is in the second year of the two-year deal he originally signed to back up Kyler Murray, but he has since been elevated to Arizona’s clear-cut starter following Murray’s release.
Any new agreement with the Cardinals is currently being negotiated through an offseason contract dispute, as the team’s long-term direction remains unsettled. Over 11 NFL seasons, Brissett has already banked close to $68 million in career earnings, meaning he technically doesn’t need to keep playing if the money isn’t right.
If Donald actually comes back, Brissett’s schedule becomes an absolute nightmare. The Cardinals already have to play six games a year against the Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and San Francisco 49ers. Those are three of the most brutal defenses in the league, even before dropping Donald into the equation.
That’s why people are saying Brissett needs to demand serious cash right now instead of taking a team-friendly deal. The argument is that it’s time for Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill to back up a Brinks truck for Brissett, especially with a Garrett-Donald pass rush waiting for him.
Whether Arizona actually forks over the money is unclear, but if Donald returns, Brissett has every reason to look out for his wallet, not just loyalty.
More NFL News: