After an offseason filled with intrigue regarding whether or not an NFL return was in the works for legendary defensive tackle Aaron Donald, he has finally made his decision – and it's good news for fans of the Los Angeles Rams.
Rejoin the Rams for one more season, coming out of retirement to sign a one-year, $20 million deal. Donald has decided to re-join the Rams for one more season, coming out of retirement to sign a one-year, $20 million deal, with playoff incentives that could eventually boost the contract to $30 million. He will now play in the league for the first time since the 2023 season.
🚨 🚨 🚨 He’s back: Rams star Aaron Donald is coming out of retirement and returning to the Rams on a one-year, $20M deal that with incentives could
be worth up to $30M, per @rapsheet and me. After two seasons away, Donald now will join forces with Myles Garrett, giving the… pic.twitter.com/LO2SoKHFwG
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2026
Donald returns to join defensive end Myles Garrett on the team's defensive line after the Rams acquired him via a trade with the Cleveland Browns this offseason. Garrett is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year and set a new league record for sacks in a single season last year, recording 23 sacks in 2025.
After the Rams acquired Garrett this offseason, Donald reportedly began a "very strict, regimented process that was similar to what he did when he played" as he explored a potential return. Donald is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and an eight-time first-team All-Pro selection. Both men are viewed among the top defensive linemen in NFL history and will now have the opportunity to play together for the first time.
Vegas oddsmakers already had the Rams as favorites to capture Super Bowl LXI before Donald's return was announced. Now, the Rams will be the only team to begin the season with multiple players who have won multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Aaron Donald makes major decision on an NFL return
