The Aaron Donald comeback rumors refuse to die. Just when it seemed the ex-Rams star was settled into retirement, a text exchange with NFL insider Jordan Schultz reignited the conversation.
Schultz recently reached out to the three-time Defensive Player of the Year about a possible return. Donald’s response quickly went viral, as he made it clear he isn’t completely ruling out a comeback.
Aaron Donald’s Latest Comments Have the Football World Buzzing
“I’m for sure flirting with the idea,” Schultz quotes Donald. “Helluva an opportunity with the Super Bowl in SoFi this year. If I can find the fire, it’s a possibility.”
As expected, the reactions came pouring in.
I texted Aaron Donald about coming out of retirement and playing for the Rams, alongside Myles Garrett:
“I’m for sure flirting with the idea. Helluva an opportunity with the Super Bowl in SoFi this year. If I can find the fire, it’s a possibility.” pic.twitter.com/T94zbgdhgs
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) June 2, 2026
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III went straight to the point. The Rams’ recent addition of Myles Garrett has led Griffin to believe it could create the perfect setup for Donald’s return.
He laid out exactly why a Donald-Garrett pairing would be a nightmare for offenses around the league. The Rams were fifth in PFSN’s Defense Impact metrics last season, but Donald returning to team up with Garrett should help them climb the ladder.
“Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald on the same defensive line will destroy every offensive coordinator’s game plan,” RGIII wrote. “Both are game wreckers. Can’t block them 1 on 1. Can’t double them both. Both give relentless effort. They will be unstoppable.”
He doubled down on his excitement about a potential Donald-Garrett partnership by sharing a Dragon Ball Z meme.
Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett on the same team pic.twitter.com/toTYxmiqwx
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) June 3, 2026
Will Compton had a simpler take, pointing to Donald’s famously intense workout videos that have been making the rounds on social media. “You don’t workout that hard on Instagram without having a Super Bowl on your mind,” Compton wrote.
You don’t workout that hard on instagram without having a Super Bowl on your mind https://t.co/TmUkwiLEcR
— Will Compton (@_willcompton) June 3, 2026
Devin McCourty echoed that sentiment. The former Patriots safety noted that Donald’s consistency in the gym has always kept the comeback conversation alive.
“When you see somebody stay in shape, the way he stays in shape, you always assume because he retired early,” McCourty said. “Hey there one move away from somebody like him coming.”
Will the arrival of Myles Garrett lure Aaron Donald out of retirement? pic.twitter.com/bRUZRxJi2N
— PFT Live (@PFT_Live) June 2, 2026
McCourty also pointed out the hashtag situation. Donald posted “ready” in a caption, and the internet immediately ran with it. McCourty admitted he had to pump the brakes a little. But deep down, he gets why people are excited.
And then there’s Leonard Fournette. After the Rams completed their blockbuster trade for Garrett, Fournette apparently slid right into Donald’s DMs. He told Jarvis Landry all about it on the “4th and South” podcast.
“Somebody need to get that man out of retirement,” Fournette said. “Coming out of retirement for one season. You got help. I play against you…now it’s you and Myles. Can we get you out of retirement? Let me know yes or no.”
After the Rams-Browns trade, @_fournette DM’d Aaron Donald telling him to come out of retirement and join Myles Garrett in LA 👀 pic.twitter.com/Q9oIngPIre
— 4th and South (@4thAndSouthPod) June 2, 2026
When Donald retired following the Rams’ 2023 playoff loss to the Detroit Lions, it genuinely shocked people. He was only 32. He had just recorded eight sacks and earned First-Team All-Pro honors. He left at the top of his game, on his own terms.
Since then, Donald has mostly stayed consistent. He went on Cam Heyward’s podcast recently and said plainly, “To be honest, I have no urge to play football.” The Rams called during his first two years away, but Donald stayed firm.
Now he’s 35. He’s been out three years. A comeback is still a long shot.
But this situation is different from anything the Rams have offered before.
Playing alongside Garrett, Byron Young, Kobie Turner, and Braden Fiske would give Donald arguably the best supporting cast of his career. And the Super Bowl is coming to SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
If there was ever a perfect moment for “The Terminator” to come back, it might just be now.
