Since the Los Angeles Rams traded for Myles Garrett last week, rumors have surfaced regarding a possible Aaron Donald return. Despite everything the future Hall of Famer gave the Rams during his illustrious career, an AD comeback story would be a massive mistake in 2026.
For one, it’s hard to return to anything after years away, and it’s even tougher for professional athletes. Several iconic NFL players are a living testament to that fact.
Unfortunate Returns
Marshawn Lynch had a forgettable second act with the Raiders
and later the Seahawks following his initial retirement in 2015. Randy Moss came out of retirement just in time for the 49ers’ Super Bowl run in 2012, but was no longer the player who once terrified the league early in his career. Deion Sanders returned after three seasons away with the Ravens from 2004-05, and had moderate success as Baltimore missed the playoffs both years.
Former Rams safety Eric Weddle understands the difficulty firsthand, coming out of retirement for the team’s Super Bowl run after two years away. Weddle told Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer that he believes Donald “could go play right now,” but it depends on how badly he wants to endure the mental and physical aspects of the game again:
“I just think from experience, you get comfortable in what you’re doing. He’s still obviously training like a madman—I wasn’t training like that or even working out to that extent, it was more so to just feel good. But he still is pushing around a lot of weight, and it really comes down to the commitment and the fire, if you have it or not. And only he knows that. But if he does, if this does light something in him? When does he come back? Does he want to do the whole season? Does he want to do half?”
The physical component is a key factor, given that all the training in the world can’t brace AD for the hits after nearly three years away. Donald ended his decade-long career relatively healthy, save for his injury-shortened 2022 campaign. He would be reentering the league at 35 years old, and the injury risk only grows the older you get.
Weddle, for example, ruptured his pec and reinjured his groin and hamstring in the win over the Bengals in the big game. He said he is still feeling his injuries from that final season, something that could easily happen to Donald, intense training be damned.
“I mean, my knees, my back, my neck, obviously my pec, my hips, like I had all those anyway. But coming off the couch from not doing anything preparation-wise for two years and then playing? I think it’s definitely set me back, health-wise. No doubt about it,” Weddle told SI.
Additionally, Donald retired on top, though not with a Super Bowl ring, but with accolades.
He has nothing more to gain
AD finished his career with first-team All-Pro honors for the eighth time in his career. Not many players can say they were an All-Pro in their final season, proving they still had more than enough in the tank to continue playing. Barry Sanders is a legend who comes to mind right away, as he did earn at least second-team honors in his final NFL season, a year after winning MVP.
In the closest possible comparison to Donald, Reggie White retired following a 16-sack season with the Packers at age 37 in 1998. He earned first-team All-Pro honors and even won Defensive Player of the Year. Instead of retiring with the perfect conclusion to his extraordinary career, White risked it all and had a forgettable 5.5-sack season with the Panthers in 2000 after a one-year hiatus. White was already an all-time great before his time in Carolina, yet the comeback put a damper on an otherwise legendary career.
There’s practically nothing that Donald could do now that would hurt his legacy, even an ill-fated comeback attempt like White, if that were to come to fruition. He has accomplished everything a player at his position could achieve, including a Super Bowl ring and three Defensive Player of the Year awards.
He’s already considered one of the greatest defensive players ever, so there’s nothing left for him to prove. Donald continues to have an impact on the sport years after walking away.
Besides, is coming back really worth risking the coldest retirement graphic of all time? Survey says hell no for that alone.
Many fans and L.A.’s front office would likely welcome Donald’s return to terrify the NFL, but sometimes it’s better to leave things in the past. Given the spotty success of players who unretire after years away and the mental and physical toll it takes to get back into “game shape,” it’s not a risk the Rams great should be willing to take, even with a second ring potentially in sight.
