Aaron Donald

NFL defensive player. Position: Defensive Tackle (DT). Team: Los Angeles Rams (retired; potential return).

Quick Facts

Position: Defensive Tackle (DT)
Team: Los Angeles Rams (retired after 2024 season)
Career: 10 years, three-time DPOY, one Super Bowl championship
Age: 35 heading into 2026 season

2026 Outlook

Aaron Donald announced his retirement in 2024 after a legendary 10-year run with the Rams that included three Defensive Player of the Year awards (2017, 2018, 2021) and one Super Bowl championship (2022). However, speculation emerged in early June 2026 that the Rams' blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett may have piqued his interest in a comeback. According to Pat McAfee, Donald texted him that the Garrett trade "for sure" got him thinking about returning at age 35. Head coach Sean McVay confirmed maintaining close contact with Donald, saying "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" (per Could Aaron Donald come out of retirement? Rams' trade for Myles Garrett 'for sure'...). Donald remained in football shape and posted workout videos on Instagram with the hashtag "#ready." Most recently, Myles Garrett gave a Rams social media interview saying he expected to talk with Donald soon about Donald's future plans, signaling direct outreach from the new defensive lineman to the potential comeback candidate (per Myles Garrett hints at potential relationship with Rams legend Aaron Donald amid return rumors).

Role / Depth Chart

Retired defensive lineman; potential interior defensive line partner for edge rusher Myles Garrett if unretirement occurs.

Injury Status

No reported injuries.

Recent News

2026-06-11 — 2026 NFL minicamp live updates: A.J. Brown has highlight day (2026 NFL minicamp live updates: A.J. Brown has highlight day)
2026-06-12 — Stefon Diggs landing spots: Commanders, Ravens among fits after NFL closes investigation (Stefon Diggs landing spots: Commanders, Ravens among fits after NFL closes investigation)
2026-06-02 — 2026 NFL minicamp live updates: A.J. Brown has highlight day (2026 NFL minicamp live updates: A.J. Brown has highlight day)
2026-05-31 — Bills' Ed Oliver sits out OTAs, studies Zach Allen film (Bills' Ed Oliver sits out OTAs, studies Zach Allen film)
2026-06-02 — 2026 NFL minicamp live updates: Jordan Love shows off big arm (2026 NFL minicamp live updates: Jordan Love shows off big arm)
2026-06-11 — Both Murray and McCarthy Need to Talk More Vanilla while Focusing on Job at Hand (Both Murray and McCarthy Need to Talk More Vanilla while Focusing on Job at Hand)
2026-06-09 — Ranking the 15 NFL quarterbacks who most need a Super Bowl win for their legacy (Ranking the 15 NFL quarterbacks who most need a Super Bowl win for their legacy)
2026-04-17 — Recent Extension Signals Costly Future for Rams Pass Rush (Recent Extension Signals Costly Future for Rams Pass Rush)
2026-06-09 — NFL urged to prevent league-altering Aaron Donald unretirement move with Rams (NFL urged to prevent league-altering Aaron Donald unretirement move with Rams)
2026-06-09 — Rams dreaming of the possibility of an Aaron Donald comeback (Rams dreaming of the possibility of an Aaron Donald comeback)

Open Questions

Will Aaron Donald come out of retirement to join the Rams alongside Myles Garrett? Source: Could Aaron Donald come out of retirement? Rams' trade for Myles Garrett 'for sure'... Status: open Last touched: 2026-06-03