Speculation about Aaron Donald potentially comingout of retirement continues to grow. The former defensive tackle has long been rumored to return to the Los Angeles Rams, especially after the team acquired Myles Garrett via a blockbuster trade deal with the Cleveland Browns.
Donald is a one-time Super Bowl champion, three-time Defensive Player of the Year and 10-time Pro Bowler. On March 15, 2024, he announced his retirement on social media at only 32 years old.
He remains in good shape and works out regularly. The Pittsburgh Panthers product’s potential return would further boost Los Angeles’ already-elite pass rush.
Throughout his 10-year NFL career, Donald recorded 543 combined tackles, consisting of 203 assisted and 340 solo efforts. He also added 111.0 sacks, 176 tackles for loss and 21 passes deflected in hislegendary career.
Los Angeles defensive tackle Aaron D. (99) before the game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Adam Schefter Reveals Details About Aaron Donald’s Rams Training Decision
Donald grabbed headlines when he was spotted working out at the Rams’ facility. ESPN’s Adam Schefter shed light on the 35-year-old’s decision.
“He told the team that he wanted to go there, work out, see how he felt, see how he reacted, see everything that went along with being back in pads on the football field, and seeing how it made him feel,” Schefter said on the “Pat McAfee Show.
“Now, I don’t know what he told him about that after he went through those workouts at the facility, but I really think it was just a trial method to see how his whole body reacted, how his mind reacted to being back out there.”
“Aaron Donald told the team that he wanted go to the facility and workout..
My guess is in the end he will be coming back to play for the Rams..
Obviously he’s thinking very hard about it and it has to be awfully enticing” ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive https://t.co/BXVtS8BYqw pic.twitter.com/BgTLfyg8Qn
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 13, 2026
Schefter added that he believes Donald would find it difficult to resist the appeal of playing again. He cited that the eight-time first-team All-Pro won’t receive as much attention with Garrett around. The veteran reporter also said that Donald won’t need to play all snaps and has a strong chance of winning another Super Bowl with Los Angeles’ formidable roster.
The Rams will open their training camp on July 25 at Loyola Marymount University. It remains to be seen if Donald will participate, but the NFL world will continue to monitor the situation closely.
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