Aaron Donald was recently spotted working out at the Los Angeles Rams practice facility, fueling speculation that he could come out of retirement and return to the Rams. Since the addition of future Hall of Famer Myles Garrett, speculation on Donald’s potential return has steadily increased.
“Aaron Donald told the [Rams] he wanted to go [to the facility], work out to see how he felt, see how he reacted,” NFL insider Adam Schefter said on the Pat McAfee show.
Should Aaron Donald Return to the Los Angeles Rams Later This Season?
Donald’s Retirement
It has now been two years since the defensive tackle retired in 2024.
“I’m burned out. I’m full. I’m complete. I’m satisfied with it. What I was able to do in 10 years… 10 Pro Bowls, 8 All-Pros… I’m satisfied,” Aaron Donald said when he retired in 2024. Donald said he no longer had the desire to go through another training camp and 17-game season.
Now at age 35, and two years away from football, his body should still be in great shape. Many retired football players stop training, but Donald has remained in excellent shape. At 35, Donald still has the same capabilities as he did before he retired.
There have been a few players who retired and returned in the middle of the season. The most recent was former Ram Eric Weddle in 2022. Weddle was a star safety for the Chargers in his prime, choosing to end his career with the Rams in 2019. In January 2022, Weddle came out of retirement to help the Rams during the playoffs and helped the team win Super Bowl LVI before retiring again.
The Solution
If Donald still wishes not to play a full season, he can opt to play half the season. If he doesn’t enjoy training camps and long seasons, playing half the season could be the best option. Donald’s addition would instantly elevate the team and make them instantly better. For Donald, it’s all about his mentality.
“[The Myles Garrett trade] for sure got me thinking,” Donald said in a text to Pat McAfee. “Gotta see if that fire can light back up.”
Tasked with being the most dominant force on the Rams’ defensive line, Donald’s perspective of the game could now change since he would be playing alongside Garrett.
Donald was a double-team magnet during his playing days. His forceful nature guaranteed at least two offensive linemen to stop his advances at all times. Now with Garrett, the opposing offense would have to account for two elite pass rushers, making it less likely Donald would consistently face a double team.
What’s Left to Prove?
The retired defensive lineman has an opportunity to do something special. Still at the peak of his physical condition, Aaron Donald could come out of retirement and be the best player on a Super Bowl team once again.
This would also allow him to add to his career. As a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year award winner and Super Bowl champion, Aaron Donald could win another ring and potential Super Bowl MVP. While he has nothing left to prove, sometimes you have to prove it to yourself.
“And I feel like we’ve got something to prove as a team. I think I got something to prove as a player, and that’s how we’re going to take it,” Donald said before the 2023 season.
Main Image: Michael Longo / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
