The Los Angeles Rams swung a blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett during the NFL offseason. Garrett is coming off a year in which he broke the NFL’s sack record. It’s a huge get for Los Angeles as they prepare for 2026, and this move also opened the door for Aaron Donald’s return.
Donald is one of the most feared pass rushers of his generation. The 2022 Super Bowl champion hung up his cleats following the 2023 NFL season. After two years away, though, he may be gearing up to return to the field for another Super Bowl run.
NFL fans are awaiting any official word on the future Hall of Famer’s return to the Rams. However, one Hall of Famer is exercising a bit of caution about how effective Donald might be if he returns at age 35.
Hall of Famer Warren Sapp Provides True Feelings on Potential Aaron Donald-Rams Reunion
Warren Sapp appeared on an episode of “Chris Simms Unbuttoned” on Wednesday. He was asked about Donald’s potential return. Sapp, a Hall of Famer in his own right, played defensive tackle for 13 years.
The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star did not cast any doubt on Donald’s ability to make an impact. At the same time, he did mention that his return is different from that of someone such as Philip Rivers from last season.
“When you play a non-contact position that doesn’t require you to physically exert yourself every play — i.e., Michael Vick — you can take time off from the game and come back. Philip Rivers — you can take time off from the game, come back. Can somebody give me an example of that with a defensive lineman?” Sapp questioned.
The Hall of Famer stressed that this is not a question of ability. He fully believes that if Donald returns to the Rams, he will be himself. It’s a matter of the wear and tear demanded by the position he plays.
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“He’s still Aaron Donald. If he’s no. 99, he’s no. 99. But there’s no way he can turn back into that 20-something-year-old,” Sapp added.
It’s hard to describe the level of dominance Donald showed during his playing days. The former Rams star finished his career with the 33rd most sacks of all time at 111.
However, when looking at an all-time ranking of PFN’s Defensive Tackle Impact Metric, Donald owns each of the best four seasons: 2018, 2021, 2015, and 2020.
Donald is the only defensive tackle to record a 100.0 grade in a season, and he achieved that mark three times.
Whether Donald suits up for the Rams this season certainly remains to be seen. In any event, the expectations for the future Hall of Famer are definitely high. That is simply the standard he set for himself during his playing career.
