Since the Los Angeles Rams acquired defensive end Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns, many have envisioned him teaming up with future Hall of Fame defensive lineman Aaron Donald.
Donald, who retired in March 2024, has suggested he is interested in returning to play alongside a transcendent talent in Garrett. He’s not begging him to come out of retirement, but, of course, he’s open to the idea.
Myles Garrett talks potential Aaron Donald return
“I don’t want to press [Donald],” Garrett said for Wednesday’s “New Heights” podcast. “Because I want him to find that spark.
“He walked away from the game feeling so fulfilled, just like ‘Man, I’ve done everything, I’ve won everything, I’ve beat everybody.’ It’s like, ‘All right, I don’t need anything more.'”
There’s little for Donald to accomplish at this point in his career, except winning a second Super Bowl. In 10 seasons with the Rams, he won Defensive Player of the Year three times. Only two other players — former Houston Texans D-lineman J.J. Watt and former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor — have won the award the same number of times as Donald.
Playing with another future HOFer in Garrett, though, could be the perfect bookend to his career, especially if they become the best pass-rushing tandem in the NFL. They certainly could. The former Brown won his second DPOY after tallying a league-record 23 sacks in 17 games for Cleveland in 2025.
“If he looks up and he’s like, ‘Huh. I might need another one,’ and he’s like, ‘MG, you wanna run it? Sure, why not?'” Garrett said.
Rams head coach Sean McVay said on June 2 that if Donald wants to return at 35, he could still play at a high level. The D-lineman produced solid numbers in 2023, recording eight sacks in 16 games. Figure on him churning out similar stats if he played in 2026.
Garrett knows the Rams could hoist the Lombardi Trophy without Donald. As of Wednesday morning, ESPN’s Football Power Index gives L.A. the best chance to win Super Bowl LXI (14.9 percent). But if he did return, those already strong odds should soar.
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