Aaron Donald and the Rams remain open to a reunion. One other step indicating that may indeed occur within the near future recently took place.
Donald took part in a workout with the Rams on Friday, as first reported by TMZ (and confirmed by USA Today’s Tyler Dragon). This latest development comes after weeks of speculation regarding a return to the NFL following two seasons of retirement. Donald has received considerable attention since hinting he would unretire within the wake of Los Angeles’ Myles Garrett trade acquisition.
Donald and Rams head coach Sean McVay have remained in touch recently, and the expectation inside and out of doors the organization has increased with respect to a deal being struck. Friday’s on-field work doesn’t guarantee anything, after all. That is very true given the regularity with which Donald has visited the Rams’ facility.
During an appearance on SportsCenter yesterday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted (h/t Bleacher Report) Donald has been with the Rams “on and off” following his retirement. Friday’s workout was removed from his first or only such visit to the team’s facility. Nevertheless, Fowler added a possible Donald return remains to be something being monitored closely across the league, and this latest news will definitely not quell interest in that regard.
The Rams included Jared Verse as a part of the trade package for Garrett. Even so, the team’s defensive front is already seen as one in all the league’s best as things stand. Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske are in position to handle starting duties along the inside, with Garrett and Byron Young atop the sting rush depth chart. Adding Donald to that blend – presumably, to have him handle a lower workload than his prime years – would add further to the potential of the unit.
Donald, 35, had previously been mentioned as a candidate to suit up midway through the season. Per Fowler, though, the three-time Defensive Player of the Yr is seen by general manager Les Snead as someone who will only commit to a return if he can do it “all in and be able to go.” That means an official arrangement allowing for Donald to play in 2026 might be in place by the beginning of coaching camp later this month, although Fowler reports a final decision with respect to unretiring has not yet been made.