The door remains open to a Rams-Aaron Donald reunion. No final decision has been made, although head coach Sean McVay‘s latest comments on the matter continue to point toward a return taking place.
The Rams have spent the early portion of their training camp at Loyola Marymount. They will conduct their final practice there on August 7 before returning to their team facility in Woodland Hills. McVay said on Saturday Donald’s 2026 situation will not be known at least until the Rams are back in their normal practice setting.
“We’ve loosely had some different timelines that are kind of temporary,” McVay added (via ESPN’s Sarah Barshop) when speaking about the oft-discussed matter of a Donald return. “I want to keep those between us just if something unforeseen happens, out of respect for him and the situation. But I know this: Things are going in the right direction. And if there’s an arrow, it’s trending upwards.”
Optimism has picked up in the case of the Rams over time when it comes to Donald’s chances of unretiring, and it was reported last week the future Hall of Famer is “leaning toward” a return in 2026. McVay and Donald have remained close over the two year’s of the latter’s retirement period, and the topic of a reunion was brought up when Los Angeles was considering a trade for Myles Garrett. Since that blockbuster deal, Donald’s efforts to ramp up his training routine have led to an increased expectation regarding a Rams agreement being worked out somewhat soon.
One year remained on Donald’s deal at the time he elected to hang up his cleats, but a new arrangement is likely to be made for the three-time Defensive Player of the Year provided he does suit up in the fall. No financial agreement is believed to be in place at this time, and that will of course become a priority if Donald’s comfort with the success of his training regimen results in a commitment to playing this season. Adding him to a defensive front already featuring Garrett and several other productive contributors would offer a boost to Los Angeles’ Super Bowl aspirations.
Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske are in position to remain starters along the defensive interior as things stand. They would likely be counted on to continue operating as the Rams’ primary options if Donald’s hiatus were to come to an end, but the team’s DT depth would be substantial in any case. McVay’s comments leave plenty of room for a change of heart, but this situation still appears to be headed toward Donald’s career resuming shortly.
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