Sean McVay’s latest comment on Aaron Donald’s potential return to the Rams sounds like a sign of what’s to come
Los Angeles Rams fans are waiting to hear word on Aaron Donald and Sean McVay’s latest comment could be a sign of what’s to come.
The Los Angeles Rams already made the biggest splash of the offseason when they traded for defensive end Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns. Now, the Super Bowl favorites could add another game-changing piece to their defensive front. 10-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who has not played since the 2023 season, appears closer to coming out of retirement and rejoining the Rams.
McVay’s comments raise expectations for Donald’s return
Donald announced his retirement following his 10th season with the Rams, walking away while still performing at an elite level. After Los Angeles acquired Garrett from the Browns, rumors quickly circulated that Donald could return to football at the age of 35. Donald confirmed he would take part in a workout program to determine whether he’s in a position to play again after sitting out the last two seasons.
During an early portion of training camp, an update from ESPN’s Sarah Barshop offered the strongest indication yet that a return is on the table. According to Barshop, McVay said if there’s an arrow, “it’s trending upward”, in terms of Donald signing and returning to play with the Rams.
If there’s anyone capable of stepping away from football for two years and getting back into game shape, it’s Donald. At 6-foot-1, 280 pounds, few players in NFL history have dominated from the interior the way he did. Donald posted six double-digit sack seasons with the Rams, including a remarkable 20.5 sacks in 2018 from his defensive tackle position. The idea of pairing two players who have each recorded at least 20 sacks in a single season on the same defensive line is the kind of combination that could make Los Angeles nearly unstoppable.
A reunion could come together later in training camp
McVay’s comments are only going to raise the expectation that Donald really could be coming out of retirement to rejoin the team. There will be contract details to work through for both sides, but this is something that could come together later in training camp.
The Rams are already viewed as the Super Bowl favorites, and adding Donald to a defensive front that features Garrett could give Los Angeles a pass rush unlike anything the league has seen in years. Time will tell whether Donald’s workout program convinces him he’s ready, but the early signs point in a promising direction.