How Aaron Donald's Rams comeback at age 35 would work as NFL unretirement rumors heat up

How Aaron Donald's Rams comeback at age 35 would work as NFL unretirement rumors heat up originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

>After acquiring Myles Garrett in a blockbuster trade, Los Angeles Rams now have the reigning a Super Bowl-winning head coach, the reigning NFL MVP and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. That might not be all.

>As soon as the Rams swung a deal for Garrett, fans started wondering whether future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald would come out of retirement to join a team with Super Bowl expectations.

>Donald retired after the 2023 season after considering an even earlier retirement two years prior, and he hasn't given any indication he plans to return to the field — until now. Donald appears to still be in shape, which means money might be the only obstacle toward a return if he decides he wants to give it another shot.

>Here's a look at the validity of Donald's unretirement rumors and how the Rams could make it work.

>MORE:How Myles Garrett trade return compares to Micah Parsons deal, more

Is Aaron Donald coming back?Donald told both Pat McAfee and Jordan Schultz on Tuesday that he's at least considering an NFL comeback.

>"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," he told Schultz.

>Coach Sean McVay told reporters he would be open to the idea of Donald returning.

>"Listen, if he’s interested," McVay said. “Here’s what I’ll say: You talk to Aaron, and you see what he’s saying about that.”

>McVay added that he has spoken to Donald about the Garrett acquisition.

>"If Aaron decides he wants to dust ‘em off at the age of 35, I bet you he can still do it at a pretty high clip."

>McVay and the Rams have taken a player out of retirement before, as they signed safety Eric Weddle ahead of the playoffs at the end of the 2021 season despite him being two years removed from last game. Weddle played in all four playoff games and started two as the Rams won the Super Bowl.

>MORE:Grading the Myles Garrett trade for Rams, Browns

Aaron Donald Rams comeback rumorsDonald openly said he considered retirement after winning the Super Bowl despite being at the top of his game, so it wasn't much of a surprise when he retired after 10 seasons despite still being a highly impactful player.

>There was no doubt at the time that Donald could play for multiple years, at least, if he wanted to continue his career. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year is known to keep himself in exquisite shape, and he was only 32 when he announced his retirement.

>After reaching the NFC championship game in 2025 and bringing nearly their full core back while adding Garrett, Trent McDuffie, and Jaylen Watson to the defense, the Rams look like the team best positioned to win a Super Bowl. Many of Donald's teammates from his playing days remain on the roster, and his coach is still in place. Those could be the stars that needed to align for Donald to make a comeback after two years away.

How old is Aaron Donald?Donald is 35 years old. He just turned 35 in May, so 2026 would be his age-35 season.

When did Aaron Donald retire?Donald announced his retirement in March 2024, calling it a career after 10 seasons. It was an early retirement for Donald, who was 32 at the time, but it wasn't much of a surprise because he had floated the idea for about two years.

>Donald was still playing at a high level at the time of his retirement. While an injury-derailed 2022 season broke his streak of seven consecutive First-Team All-Pro seasons, Donald earned his eighth selection in 2023 and had eight sacks along with 23 quarterback hits across 16 games.

>MORE:Why did Aaron Donald retire?

Does Aaron Donald have a ring?Donald won Super Bowl 56 with the Rams at the end of the 2021 season, famously pointing to his ring finger after pressuring Joe Burrow on the final play of the game. After falling short in Super Bowl 53, the championship marked the pinnacle of Donald's career and nearly the end of it. He considered an early retirement after only eight seasons, but a new contract in the spring brought Donald back to the Rams for two more seasons.

Aaron Donald contract detailsThe Rams took a dead cap hit from Donald's three-year, $95 million contract in 2024 and 2025, but his deal officially expired after last season, giving him the ability to sign with any team.

>That means the Rams don't hold Donald's rights anymore if he wanted to return. He could technically sign with any team, but a return with any team other than the Rams is almost certainly off the table. If Donald does make a comeback, it will be a return to the Super Bowl-hopeful organization he's already familiar with.

>MORE:Winners and losers from Myles Garrett trade

Rams salary cap with Aaron DonaldThe Rams have $16.4 million in cap space to work with, according to Over The Cap. Young standouts such as Puka Nacua, Kobie Turner and Byron Young still playing out their rookie contracts helps ease the burden, even after acquiring Myles Garrett.

>L.A. would need to get creative if Donald wanted anything close to his pre-retirement salary, but if he is comfortable playing on a reduced deal compared to his peak years, the Rams would be able to fit him in with the space they have.

Rams depth chart with Aaron DonaldHere's what the Rams' defense could look like with Donald back in the mix:

Position1st team2nd teamDLBraden FiskeLarrell MurchisonDLAaron DonaldPoona FordDLKobie TurnerTy HamiltonOLBMyles GarrettJosaiah StewartOLBByron YoungDesjuan JohnsonILBNate LandmanGrant StuardILBOmar SpeightsShaun DolacCBTrent McDuffieQuentin LakeCBJaylen WatsonEmmanuel ForbesSKamren CurlJaylen McColloughSKamren KinchensTanner InglePoona Ford is the most expendable projected starter on the Rams' defensive line, though Braden Fiske might be the most comparable style of player to Donald, which would give the Rams the tough decision of putting one of the two in a reserve role.

>Fiske was drafted to be the direct Donald replacement in 2024 and has had some pass-rush success, but Kobie Turner's presence has made the Rams transition away from Donald with ease. Turner has 24 sacks across three seasons in L.A., notching at least seven sacks in each of his three seasons.