Ever since rumors began swirling about Aaron Donald potentially returning to the Los Angeles Rams, one question has lingered above all others: does Donald actually want to play a full NFL season again?
The future Hall of Famer retired following the 2023 season after establishing himself as one of the greatest defensive players in league history. Donald finished his career with 111 sacks, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, eight First-Team All-Pro selections, and a Super Bowl championship.
By all accounts, he stepped away while still playing at an elite level.
However, circumstances have changed in Los Angeles. The Rams now feature one of the NFL’s most talented defensive fronts, highlighted by newly acquired star edge rusher Myles Garrett. If Donald is considering a comeback, the decision may come down to whether he wants to endure the grind of a full season or simply contribute during the most important stretch of the year.
Pro: Play Alongside Myles Garrett
The biggest selling point for a Donald return may be the chance to share a defensive line with Garrett.
Throughout his career, Donald frequently faced double and triple teams because opposing offenses viewed him as the primary threat. Garrett would dramatically change that equation. Offensive coordinators would be forced to pick their poison, potentially creating favorable one-on-one opportunities for both superstars.
For a competitor like Donald, the opportunity to play alongside another future Hall of Famer could be difficult to ignore. The possibility of forming one of the most dominant defensive duos in NFL history may be a challenge worth accepting.
Pro: Increase Sack Total
Donald retired with 111 career sacks, an incredible number for an interior defensive lineman.
A return would give him the chance to continue climbing the all-time sack leaderboard. On the official sack leaderboard, Donald is currently 33rd all-time. A 12 sack season would help him get inside the top 25.
Even if statistical milestones are not his primary motivation, competitors often enjoy the chance to further cement their legacy.
Pro: Team Camaraderie
One aspect of football that many retired players miss is the locker room environment.
Donald spent a decade building relationships inside the Rams organization. Many of the coaches remain in place, while a new generation of players has helped create an exciting championship-caliber roster.
The daily interactions, team meetings, road trips, and pursuit of a common goal are often difficult to replace after retirement. If Donald misses the brotherhood of an NFL locker room, that could become a significant factor in any comeback decision.
Con: Training Camp
The biggest obstacle may be the least glamorous part of football: training camp.
Donald has already accomplished everything there is to accomplish professionally. The idea of spending weeks in the summer heat participating in practices, conditioning drills, and preseason preparations may not be particularly appealing.
While playing meaningful games is exciting, the journey to get there requires a substantial commitment. For a player who has already earned his legacy, training camp could represent the largest hurdle to a full-season return.
Potential Return Timelines
Option 1: Training Camp (Late July)
This would be the most traditional route.
Donald would report alongside the rest of the team, participate throughout camp, and enter Week 1 fully integrated into the defense. This option would maximize his conditioning and chemistry with teammates but would also require the greatest commitment.
Option 2: Late August
A more realistic compromise could involve Donald signing one or two weeks before the regular season.
He would avoid most of training camp while still having enough time to prepare for the season opener. This approach would allow him to bypass the summer heat in California and mundane practice reps.
Devil’s advocate would say though that the Rams could give him veteran rest days and limit his practice reps.
Option 3: Rams’ Bye Week
If Donald prefers a shorter commitment, he could return midway through the season.
Joining the team during its bye week would give him time to get acclimated while preserving his body for the second half of the season and a potential playoff push.
Option 4: Before the NFL Playoffs
The final possibility is a late-season return designed specifically for a championship run.
Donald could spend most of the year away from football and then rejoin the Rams shortly before the postseason. While this would provide the shortest path back to meaningful games, it would also leave questions about conditioning and how quickly he could regain game shape.
Even though Aaron Donald is a worldly talent, it could cause some disturbance with gelling with other members alongside the defensive line in-game. It would help to have the reps to play off one another before going into win or go home football.
