Retirement may not be permanent for former Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald. The 10-time Pro Bowler, who walked away from professional football in 2024, has been generating buzz about a possible return to the field in 2026.
Those comeback rumors gained serious momentum after TMZ published photos showing Donald working out at the Rams’ training facility on Friday, making the prospect of an un-retirement appear far more realistic.
Over his decade with the Rams, Donald established himself as one of the most dominant defensive players in NFL history, earning eight All-Pro honors. His final season came in 2023, when he recorded eight sacks before calling it a career.
The speculation has intensified following the Rams’ blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. If Donald were to return anywhere close to his former elite level, a pairing between him and Garrett could form an extraordinarily fearsome defensive front for Los Angeles.
Rams head coach Sean McVay fueled the fire last month when he revealed he had already approached Donald about rejoining the team. “I’ve talked to him about the opportunity to bring him on board,” McVay said.
The coach made clear he believes Donald still has plenty left in the tank. “If Aaron decides he wants to dust ’em off at the age of 35,” McVay said, “I bet you he can still do it at a pretty high clip.”
Donald himself admitted that McVay’s pitch left an impression. Speaking with media personality Pat McAfee, he said, “It for sure got me thinking.”
During his career, Donald accumulated 111 sacks, 543 tackles, and 176 tackles for loss — numbers that cemented his legacy as one of the all-time greats at his position.
As for Garrett, the 30-year-old set the NFL single-season sack record last year with 23, all coming during his nine seasons and 134 games with the Cleveland Browns. He also tallied 412 career tackles, 125.5 sacks, 23 forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries during his time in Cleveland.
