Could it really happen? Could Aaron Donald come out of retirement to join the Los Angeles Rams for a last dance? There was a major development in that possibility Wednesday, and the NFL world is losing its mind.
If Donald joined the Rams for the 2026 season, few would bet against them to win the Super Bowl. According to PFN’s NFL Playoff Predictor, the Rams currently have the fifth-best odds to win the Lombardi Trophy, and that is without Donald on the roster.
NFL World Loses Its Mind To Potential Aaron Donald Return To Rams
Ever since the Rams traded for reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, Donald has hinted at a potential return to the field.
Donald has framed a possible return around desire more than obligation. He said in June that the Garrett trade “for sure got me thinking,” and that at 35 he wants to see whether “that fire can light back up.”
With that being said, he has posted multiple videos of workouts he’s been doing at home and in his free time. Those videos, as you might expect, are quite impressive given he hasn’t played since 2023.
However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared that the Rams officially hosted Donald for a workout Wednesday. He didn’t wear pads, but he used team equipment at the facility, which required Los Angeles to report the session on the NFL’s transaction wire.
“Aaron Donald worked out today for the Los Angeles Rams, per the NFL wire,” Schefter wrote on X.
Aaron Donald worked out today for the Los Angeles Rams, per the NFL wire. pic.twitter.com/VjR0LdRHnz
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 5, 2026
And now the NFL world is losing its mind.
“there just has to be something you can do to prevent this from happening @nfl,” Packers writer and NFL columnist Zach Jacobson said.
“OH MY GOD,” NFL content creator Jackson Durham said.
CBS Sports’ JP Acosta simply added, “Oh no.”
PREDICT THE NFL SEASON: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
“Is this real life?!” One Rams fan added.
Another fan reacted with the GIF of Donald pointing to his ring finger after winning Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals.
ONE MORE TIME pic.twitter.com/tB4KVUBiZt https://t.co/V0BeROr7Pp
— the infamous©️STAFFORD MVP (@leedsnoinfidel) August 5, 2026
The Rams front four was already dangerous, anchored by Garrett, who cost Los Angeles the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year in Jared Verse along with a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second and a 2029 third. If the Rams can bring Donald back at anything close to his old level, there’s a real argument they’d have the best front in football.
Pair that with an offense led by reigning MVP Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Kyren Williams, and it’s easy to see why oddsmakers already have the Rams on top of the board. Super Bowl 61 is scheduled for SoFi Stadium.
In case you forgot, Donald spent all 10 of his seasons with the Rams (2014-23). He was a 10-time Pro Bowler, an eight-time first-team All-Pro, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and the 2014 Defensive Rookie of the Year. He finished top five in Defensive Player of the Year voting seven straight seasons, from 2015 through 2021.
If he returns, the Rams will be putting that next to Garrett, who’s won Defensive Player of the Year two of the last three seasons and has been an All-Pro in five of the last six seasons.
