LOS ANGELES — Aaron Donald has returned to the Los Angeles Rams, ending his retirement after 2 1/2 years to pursue another championship according to Apnews. The 35-year-old defensive tackle agreed to a one-year, $20 million contract with incentives that can push the total value of the deal to $30 million, according to ESPN.
Aaron Donald Ends Retirement to Join Los Angeles Rams
Donald originally retired in March 2024 following 10 NFL seasons, all spent with the Rams franchise in St. Louis and Los Angeles. During his initial career, he earned three AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards, 10 Pro Bowl selections, eight All-Pro selections, and a Super Bowl ring with the team’s Super Bowl 56-winning roster. He announced his return on Instagram, following a formal “I’m back” letter addressed to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in the style of Michael Jordan’s famous comeback statement according to Yahoo Sports.
A Transformed Defensive Line and Roster
The catalyst for Donald’s return was the Rams’ offseason trade for edge rusher Myles Garrett. Donald noted that watching the team acquire Garrett and other major pieces shifted his perspective on the roster.
I already thought it was a stacked D-line with Verse,
Donald said according to Apnews, referencing young lineman Jared Verse before the trade. The addition of Garrett pairs two of the era’s premier defensive players together. Donald and Garrett have combined to win five of the Associated Press’s past nine Defensive Player of the Year awards according to Abc7news.
Alongside Garrett, Los Angeles bolstered its defense by adding cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson from Kansas City according to Apnews. The reinforced defensive front also features young contributors Byron Young, Kobie Turner, and Braden Fiske. Offensively, the Rams return every major contributor around quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Readiness and Week 1 Status
Donald underwent nearly three months of intensive workouts and physical preparation, including 13 to 14 weeks of nonstop training at the Rams’ training complex and elsewhere, to test his body for a return to NFL-level play according to Apnews and according to ESPN. He passed his physical on Sunday, was activated to the roster, and participated in a light practice at the team’s facility where he exchanged hugs and handshakes with teammates according to Apnews and according to Yahoo Sports.
Coach Sean McVay told reporters that the team is taking the situation one day at a time regarding whether Donald will play in the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia according to ESPN and according to USA Today. However, league sources confirmed he is officially eligible to play in Week 1 according to Yahoo Sports.
Do I feel like I can play at a high level? Yes,
Donald said according to Apnews. Do I feel like I can still be myself? One hundred percent, and if I didn't feel like that, I wouldn't be here.
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