Retired defensive superstar Aaron Donald is allegedly at least thinking about coming out of retirement and rejoining the
Los Angeles Rams after his former club acquired two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns on Monday.
While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Rams head coach Sean McVay revealed that he has been “in touch with” Donald. Understandably, McVay also suggested he’d welcome Donald back to the Rams with open arms.
Rams think Aaron Donald is serious about playing in 2026?
During a Wednesday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Rams general manager Les Snead was asked about the Donald-related rumors. For what it’s worth, Snead did say he hasn’t yet reached out to Donald about potentially returning to the Rams’ active roster.
“Sean has had conversations with Aaron,” Snead explained. “He still communicates with Aaron a good bit. The neat thing about it is, I do think for the first time, Aaron’s like, ‘Oh, wait a minute.’ I don’t think he’s actually thought that since he did retire.”
On Tuesday, McAfee shared that Donald said via a text message that he needed to see “if that fire can light back up” this spring or summer. This past November, Donald insisted he was “fulfilled” after he retired following the 2023 season as a three-time Defensive Player of the Year Award winner and a one-time Super Bowl champion.
Snead teased that Donald may now be having second thoughts about remaining a spectator after the future Hall of Famer turned 35 years old in May.
Aaron Donald may be ready to play in more ways than one
“If you know Aaron,” Snead continued, “just at his core, at his DNA…if he doesn’t think he’s one of the best on the field, he probably doesn’t want to be on the field. So, I think he has actually enjoyed retirement. But, you know what? He said [when] he left [that] his tank was full. Maybe it’s getting a little bit less full. …I do know this. Probably since his retirement, he hasn’t missed a workout. He might not do three-a-days anymore, but you know what? I bet you hadn’t missed a workout since that retirement.”
Snead and McVay sound ready to keep a roster spot open for Donald. It remains to be seen when Donald will make a final decision about possibly playing alongside Garrett later this year.