The possibility of Aaron Donald’s return quickly picked up steam right after the team made a blockbuster move on Monday, trading for Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns. While the Los Angeles Rams aren’t shutting the door on a potential Donald comeback to the NFL, Garrett had his honest take on the discussion this week.
What Myles Garrett Thinks About an Aaron Donald Comeback
Garrett spoke with J.B. Long on Wednesday about his trade to the Rams and addressed whether he has any relationship with Aaron Donald or plans to connect with him.
“(I) haven’t talked yet, but definitely expect to talk soon,” Garrett said. “I don’t know what his plans are, and I’m not gonna pretend to know. I know a lot of people are excited and thrilled about the idea of him coming back, but just being able to talk to him, learn from him, and know that I’ll take all the advice I can.
“(I) know he’s a great one for a reason. So, now just trying to get him in here talking to, you know, the guys, especially the defensive line, that can mean a lot, and if we can take anything, know from, I think it would help our game.”
Donald retired in 2024 after a dominant 10-year career, but discussion about a possible comeback has continued ever since. The conversation picked up again after ESPN personality Pat McAfee said on Tuesday that he had texted Donald about a potential return. According to McAfee, Donald said that Garrett’s arrival in Los Angeles had made him think more seriously about it and that he needs to see if “that fire can light back up.”
Donald spent his entire career with the Rams after being selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Pitt. During Sean McVay’s tenure with him, Los Angeles enjoyed a strong run, including six winning seasons, five playoff appearances, and two Super Bowl trips.
While McVay keeps in touch with Donald, he did not suggest any certainty about a return during Garrett’s introductory press conference.
BE AN NFL GM: PFSN’s Ultimate GM Simulator
“Aaron is a guy that I stay really close in touch with, and I know the respect that he has for Myles,” McVay said. “Talked to him about the opportunity to be able to bring (Garrett) on board. If Aaron decides he wants to dust them off at the age of 35, I bet you he could still do it at a pretty high clip.”
Donald was smaller than many elite defensive tackles, but he built a magnificent resume with 10 Pro Bowl selections and eight first-team All-Pro honors over his decade with the Rams. While no comeback is guaranteed, the idea of pairing Donald with Garrett continues to fuel speculation about one of the most dominant defensive line combinations imaginable.
Meanwhile, Garrett is just 30 years old but already boasts seven Pro Bowl selections and five first-team All-Pro honors. He also finished last season with a 95.6 score in the PFSN NFL EDGE Impact rankings, placing him No. 1 overall.
