Aaron Donald has completed a sensational return to the Los Angeles Rams just two years after he admitted to feeling 'burnt out' and satisfied with his career achievements
Aaron Donald revealed that he was satisfied with his career when retiring in 2024
Aaron Donald revealed that he was satisfied with his career when retiring in 2024(Image: Getty)
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The Los Angeles Rams have confirmed that three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald will return for the 2026 season, two years after he officially retired from the NFL.
Donald retired as a Rams legend, spending his entire career in St. Louis and Los Angeles following the team's relocation. Donald has been linked with a comeback ever since, and head coach Sean McVay stoked the fire earlier this offseason by entertaining a possible reunion.
The Rams had already secured a blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett, but have now signed Donald to a one-year, $20 million contract that could reach $30 million with incentives. The Rams now have a stunning defensive line, but Donald admitted upon retiring that his desire to play in the NFL had been lost.
"I will always love football, but to think about going through another camp and another 17-(game) season, I just don't got the urge to want to push myself through that no more," Donald said when retiring. "I'm just, I'm burnt out.
"The best way to say it is I'm full, I'm complete. I'm satisfied with what I was able to do in 10 years. I think it's time for me at 32 years old to retire from football and jump into the next step of my career, my life. Now it's time to move on."
Donald was the 13th overall pick in 2014 and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year at the conclusion of the campaign. Three Defensive Player of the Year awards followed, with 10 Pro Bowl selections.
Donald was content with his career but will return for one final season
Donald was content with his career but will return for one final season(Image: Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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The biggest achievement for Donald and the Rams came at Super Bowl LVI, when Los Angeles beat the Cincinnati Bengals at their home SoFi Stadium to lift the Lombardi Trophy. This season, the Super Bowl will once again be held at SoFi Stadium.
The Rams are very much in win-now mode, retaining NFL MVP Matthew Stafford and adding Garrett to the defensive line. Garrett was eager to play with Donald upon hearing rumors of his return, and the partnership is now official.
Since retiring, Donald has remained in excellent shape and posted several videos of his extreme workout routines. This helped him get into a position to return, but he revealed in May that the desire wasn't there.
Myles Garrett and Donald will now form a stunning defensive line
Myles Garrett and Donald will now form a stunning defensive line(Image: Getty Images)
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"People ask me all the time like, ‘You sure you don’t want to play?’ I be like, to be honest with you, I have no urge to play football anymore," Donald said on the Not Just Football podcast with Cam Heyward.
"... I always knew I was a guy that never wanted to play forever. ... I always said I was going to do eight years and be done. I just happened to win a Super Bowl my eighth year and I was like, ‘Man, this is destiny!’"
However, something changed for Donald, and he will now look to help lead the Rams to another Super Bowl success. Los Angeles was close to becoming a championship team last season, with the Garrett trade triggered to help get them over the line.
Now, the Rams not only have Garrett, but they welcome back a veteran who is beloved in Los Angeles and by his teammates.