Yes, it’s true, Los Angeles Rams fans. Aaron Donald is coming back to the NFL and back to the team. News broke on Sunday afternoon that Donald, who was a mainstay on the Rams’ Super Bowl-winning team, is back after two seasons away from football.
The three-time Defensive Player of the Year played his entire 10-year NFL career with the Rams from when they were in St. Louis, before moving back to Los Angeles. Now, he will look to bring his leadership and toughness at defensive tackle on this season’s squad with head coach Sean McVay alongside him.
NFL World Reacts to Aaron Donald Rejoining Rams
When news of Donald’s return to the Rams was sent out on social media, there were plenty of reactions.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz had early notice about Arnold and posted online about the situation.
“BREAKING: Aaron Donald tells me he’s coming out of retirement and returning to play for the #Rams,” Schultz wrote. “Donald, in part, tells me: ‘I’ve been working the last 12-13 weeks to train my body and get it to a point where I felt like I could still play the game at a high level and be durable. I am now ready to come back to try and do something special with this group of guys. We back.'”
BREAKING: Aaron Donald tells me he’s coming out of retirement and returning to play for the #Rams.
Donald, in part, tells me: “I’ve been working the last 12-13 weeks to train my body and get it to a point where I felt like I could still play the game at a high level and be… pic.twitter.com/eJu19Bbvv6
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 30, 2026
The X account for ESPN’s “Unsportsmanlike” show simply put up eyeball emojis in response to ESPN’s own announcement regarding Donald.
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE (@UnSportsESPN) August 30, 2026
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter also reported that Donald is returning to the Rams on a one-year, $20 million deal that with incentives could be worth up to $30 million.
START PREPARING: PFN’s Free Fantasy Draft Simulator
Padres Nation’s online account simply said this: “Rams just won the Super Bowl.”
Rams just won the Super Bowl
— Padres Nation (@NationPadres) August 30, 2026
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area is already looking ahead to Donald playing in the Rams’ season opener coming up in a few days. Maiocco wrote, “And there you have it: Aaron Donald vs. the interior of the 49ers’ offensive line Week 1 in Melbourne.”
And there you have it: Aaron Donald vs. the interior of the 49ers’ offensive line Week 1 in Melbourne. https://t.co/s185qgZBlE
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 30, 2026
JP Acosta of CBS Sports commented on Donald joining Myles Garrett on the Rams’ defensive line, but it’s happening this season.
BE THE GM OF YOUR FAVORITE TEAM: PFN’s Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator
Acosta wrote, “I never thought I’d see the day that Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett line up together on the same team.”
I never thought I’d see the day that Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett line up together on the same team https://t.co/5oBE3w9ww7
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) August 30, 2026
ESPN NFL analyst Marcus Spears had a rather short, concise response on hearing about Donald’s signing: “Lord Jesus, it’s a Fire.”
Rapoport, in another post, pointed out who Donald will be lining up with on the Rams’ defensive front line. He wrote, “Myles Garrett. Braden Fiske. Poona Ford. Kobie Turner. Byron Young. … and now Aaron Donald. Maybe the greatest defensive front of all time.”
Myles Garrett. Braden Fiske. Poona Ford. Kobie Turner. Byron Young. … and now Aaron Donald. Maybe the greatest defensive front of all time. https://t.co/x8pq21iP78
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 30, 2026
San Francisco 49ers NFL analyst David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard wrote and posted this online: “Wow, at least $20 million for the season — didn’t see Donald demanding that big of a price tag after that time off.”
PREDICT THE NFL SEASON: PFN’s Free NFL Playoff Predictor
Onyx Odds’ account on X decided to throw in some animated imagery to its post. These words were on there: “Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald rushing the QB”.
Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald rushing the QB pic.twitter.com/Q6U1auHU5n
— Onyx Odds (@OnyxOdds) August 30, 2026
One radio broadcaster posted some comments online after hearing of Donald’s decision: “Very expected at this point, but still wild. Hopefully for the rest of the NFL, he comes back slower than the old version!”
Sleeper Seahawks’ account online had a pointed comment to make toward the Rams, dropping a GIF of Arnold Schwarzenegger as well. The account wrote, “All-out war … Bring it on”.
All-out war
Bring it on https://t.co/OCDi7RGEFg pic.twitter.com/yynUkjZUhX
— SleeperSeahawks (@SleeperSeahawks) August 30, 2026
In those 10 previous NFL seasons, Donald has recorded 111 sacks and was a Pro Bowl selection in every one of them.
According to PFN’s DT Impact Metric, Donald was ranked as the best defensive tackle in the league for seven straight seasons from 2015 to 2021.
Now, the Rams hope to tap into some more Donald magic this season.
