The thrill surrounding Aaron Donald and the Rams continues. An expectation exists that a reunion between team and player will happen later this offseason.
SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora reports there’s a “growing sense” inside the Rams’ organization and across the league that Donald will indeed return to Los Angeles. No firm timeline is in place for the time being, but it surely has long been clear a mutual interest exists on this case. The longer term Hall of Famer could add further to a Rams defensive front which added Myles Garrett last month.
Donald was recently reported to be “seriously contemplating” a return for 2026. Questions have been raised about how much he would actually play in that scenario, and details on that front remain to be seen. Per La Canfora, Donald may very well be expected to miss time on the onset of coaching camp next month together with his workload being limited early on. Nevertheless, he adds the three-time Defensive Player of the 12 months is viewed as a candidate to play “a majority” of the 2026 campaign.
The Rams included Jared Verse as a part of the trade package to amass Garrett, however the reigning DPoY is predicted to supply a lift along the sting. Bringing Donald, 35, back into the fold would bolster an interior group which already features Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske together with Poona Ford as a depth option. Donald logged a defensive snap share of a minimum of 81% yearly from 2017 through to 2023. An analogous workload would come as a surprise after a two-year absence, although the 10-time Pro Bowler would little doubt anticipate an everyday role if/when he’s back within the fold.
“He’s going to be an issue,” one general manager told La Canfora when speaking about Donald’s expected return. “He didn’t placed on 50 kilos. He’s stayed in shape. I don’t think it’ll take him that long to get back in game shape.”
If that proves to be true, Donald’s second act will turn into a significant storyline. The Rams are already positioned to function a serious Super Bowl contender, and finalizing a return on this case would add further to expectations in Los Angeles for the 2026 season.