The Los Angeles Rams sent shockwaves through the NFL on Monday by trading for two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett in exchange for Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-rounder, and a 2029 third-rounder.
The move instantly improved the Rams’ chances to win the Super Bowl and ignited a question nobody expected to be asking in June: could Aaron Donald come out of retirement to play alongside Garrett? Pat McAfee tested that theory by texting the Rams legend directly, and Donald’s response left the door open.
Aaron Donald Teases NFL Return After Myles Garrett’s Arrival in LA
Donald retired in March 2024 after 10 dominant seasons with the Rams, walking away with 111 career sacks, eight first-team All-Pro selections, 10 Pro Bowl nods, and the Super Bowl 56 ring he helped clinch with his pressure on Joe Burrow in the final seconds against the Bengals.
He is a lock for first-ballot Hall of Fame induction when he becomes eligible in 2029, and is widely regarded as the most dominant interior defender of his generation. The same can be said for Garrett, who broke the single-season sacks record last year.
When McAfee reached out to gauge Donald’s interest, the response was telling. “It for sure got me thinking,” Donald texted McAfee. “35, removed two years ago, gotta see if that fire can light back up.”
I reached out to @AaronDonald97 this morning..
According to source(s) it for sure got him thinking..
He said he’s 35 and he’s gotta see if that fire can light backup..
Aaron Donald and Myles Garret playing together with the Rams would be INSANE #PMSLive https://t.co/u6ioUwWsHL pic.twitter.com/6Ikj8vlFe2
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 2, 2026
McAfee also revealed that Donald shared a laughing response when he asked the Rams legend to “go get the knives back out.”
Donald left the game while still performing at an elite level, finishing his final season with eight sacks and 16 tackles for loss en route to yet another Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection.
According to PFSN’s DT Impact Metric, Donald posted an impact score of 100.3 in his last season, ranking best in the league. Pairing him alongside Garrett would create arguably the most fearsome defensive front the league has seen in decades.
The Rams arguably already have the best roster in the NFL with the likes of reigning MVP Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and Kyren Williams on offense. Before trading for Garrett, they also solidified their secondary in the offseason by adding Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
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With Super Bowl 61 set to be played at SoFi Stadium, the Rams’ roster already mirrors the all-in construction that delivered a championship after the 2021 season.
Getting Donald back would transform a Super Bowl favorite into something closer to a guarantee, and also put the most decorated defensive interior player of this era next to the most prolific edge rusher of his era. As we approach the 2026 season, it will be interesting to see whether that fire Donald mentioned can light back up one more time.
