Is Aaron Donald planning NFL return? Les Snead, Sean McVay, others offer insight

It once looked like the book was closed on Aaron Donald's NFL career.

>Turns out, there might be more to the story. In fact, Donald has been the main character in the wake of the blockbuster trade that sent Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. All eyes are on the former Rams All-Pro defensive tackle as he ponders an NFL return.

>Donald retired from the NFL on March 15, 2024 at the age of 32 following a dominant run on the gridiron. It was something the star defender flirted with previously before opting to suit up for the 2023 season. There was never a question about Donald's talent and ability to play at a high level.

>Instead the decision to retire centered on passion and the lack of things left to accomplish, as he told the Rams' official site at the time. After all, Donald was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year, eight-time All-Pro, 10-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion in 10 seasons.

>Could he lace up the cleats again and continue adding to those totals? Here's a look at what everyone involved has said about the situation.

Rams GM Les Snead on potential Aaron Donald returnLes Snead joined "The Rich Eisen Show" on June 3, when he was asked about the chances that Donald decides to return.

>"I do think for the first time since he's retired, he's maybe tempted," Snead said. "Maybe do one last stand. I don't know if he's been tempted since he has been retired."

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💻 Les Snead

The $99M question for the @RamsNFL GM — is Aaron Donald coming back or what??#NFL#RamHousepic.twitter.com/effyfkNzD8

— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) June 3, 2026The GM added that the former Rams star would likely only consider the idea if he can help the team.

>"I think if you know Aaron at his core, he's one of those humans that if he doesn't think he can really, really help, he probably doesn't want to try," he added.

>"But for the first time, I'm betting that he's tempted. I can sense that."

>Snead did express a desire for patience to Donald decide at his own pace. He said for everyone to let the player sleep on the decision and see if that flame starts burning again.

>Ultimately, the GM wants everything to happen organically rather than come as a result of outside pressure.

>Snead also joined "The Pat McAfee Show" on June 3, when he was asked if he spoke to Donald about a return to football. The general manager said that he didn't have any conversations with Donald, but head coach Sean McVay has. However, the GM had a different message for the show's host.

>"Continue texting Aaron Donald," Snead joked to McAfee, who helped spark these return rumors following the Garrett trade. "I know you said you don't text with him often, but this is probably the time to build that daily text chain with him."

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"Continue texting @AaronDonald97 😂😂

Now is the time to be texting him every day..

I think this is the first time he's actually thought about coming back since he retired" ~ Les Snead#PMSLivehttps://t.co/LTQQlPXLQypic.twitter.com/7A1GJO28ZG

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 3, 2026Similar to his appearance on Eisen's show, Snead again added that he believes this is the first time that Donald has entertained the idea of coming out of retirement since he stepped away.

>"If you know Aaron, at his core, at his DNA, if he doesn't think he's one of the best on the field then he probably doesn't want to be on the field," Snead said. "I think he's actually enjoyed retirement, but you know what? He said he left and his tank was full, maybe it's getting a little bit less full. So Pat, keep texting."

Sean McVay speaks on potential Aaron Donald returnMcVay was asked by reporters on June 2 if the Rams had any interest in a reunion with Donald and the Rams coach kept the door open.

>"Interested, there is no question," McVay said, before pausing and telling reporters in attendance that they should see what Donald has to say. "Aaron's a guy I stay really close in touch with and I know the respect that he has for Myles, talked to him about the opportunity to be able to bring him onboard.

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

Aaron Donald on potential returnDonald explained in a text to ESPN's Pat McAfee that recent events have him thinking about coming out of retirement.

>"[The Myles Garrett trade] for sure got me thinking," Donald said via text, per McAfee.

>It came on the heels of a workout video that Donald posted on Instagram, leading to speculation that he was working towards a return. However, the former Ram has been sharing workout clips throughout his retirement. Regardless, Donald explained to McAfee that a return is not a sure thing, given that he is 35 years old and still two years removed from his last snaps.

>"Gotta see if that fire can light back up," Donald said.

Erica Donald on his potential returnDonald's wife, Erica weighed in on the possibility of her husband returning to the NFL with a quick, three-word post on June 2.

>"Y'all are hilarious," she posted on X.

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Y’all are hilarious

— Erica Donald (@EriDon_99) June 2, 2026This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaron Donald NFL return? What Rams officials, others have said