After a recent workout in Los Angeles, a Rams-Aaron Donald reunion is “starting to gain steam,” according to Bleacher Report’s James Palmer.
Donald’s potential return to the football field has grown from a tantalizing prospect to a serious possibility over the six weeks since the Rams’ blockbuster move for Myles Garrett.
The first and most relevant consideration is the 35-year-old’s ability to return to high-level NFL defensive line play. He was widely considered the best defensive tackle in the league for most, if not all, of his career and ranks high in the all-time annals of the position. Known for his relentless devotion to staying in tip-top shape, Donald has continued to post intense workout videos on social media since his retirement.
“He’s stayed in remarkable shape,” Palmer said. “But there are differences between football shape and staying in shape. And no one knows that better, probably, than Aaron Donald.”
The Rams are being patient as Donald assesses his ability to return to the gridiron. The Rams are not actively pursuing him but have expressed their interest in bringing their legendary defensive tackle back to their locker room. The two sides have yet to discuss money, though Palmer believes that “could be worked out relatively easily.”
“If we’re looking at a timeline, we would probably know a handful of days, just a guess, before the start of training camp,” Palmer adds.
Donald’s return would likely come with a limited snap count focused on pass-rushing situations. Palmer compared the situation to Brandon Graham‘s unretirement last year, in which he played just 113 snaps for the Eagles across nine games (12.5 snaps per game, 19% snap share). Graham recorded just three sacks, but his per-snap production led the team. He also posted a 14.1% pass rush win rate, a significant dip from his peak but comparable to his 2024 campaign, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
Speaking on The Rich Eisen Show, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero referenced Deion Sanders as the only other Hall of Famer who retired for multiple years before making a comeback. The All-Pro cornerback was a part-time player for the Ravens in 2004 and 2005 after three seasons away from the field with solid production that still paled in comparison to his 1990s peak in Atlanta, San Francisco, and Dallas. Defensive lineman Reggie White and wide receiver Randy Moss also returned to the field after one year in retirement; neither was able to return to their previous level of play.
That would be a crucial consideration for Donald, a 10-time Pro Bowler, eight-time first-team All-Pro, and two-time Defensive Player of the Year. He would not come back in a cameo role or as an elder statesman in the locker room; he would be a key starter on a Rams team with sky-high expectations in 2026. But Donald was head-and-shoulders above the rest of the league for much of his career, so returning at even 80% or 90% of his prime form could give Los Angeles one of the best defensive lines in NFL history and potentially put them over the top in their quest for another Super Bowl.
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