Three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald is "flirting" with the idea of coming out of retirement to rejoin the Los Angeles Rams, he told NFL insider Jordan Schultz on Tuesday.
"Helluva an opportunity with the Super Bowl in SoFi (Stadium) this year. If I can find the fire, it's a possibility," Donald said.
Michael Brockers, Donald's teammate from 2014-20, also hinted at the possibility of the defensive tackle coming back earlier Tuesday.
"My guy is staying ready so he doesn't have to get ready," Brockers said a day after the Rams acquired two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns in a blockbuster trade that sent shockwaves through the NFL.
Head coach Sean McVay didn't shut down speculation during Garrett's introductory press conference Tuesday, saying he spoke to Donald recently.
"Aaron is a guy that I stay really close in touch with, and I know the respect that he has for Myles," McVay said, according to The Associated Press. "Talked to him about the opportunity to be able to bring (Garrett) on board. 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."
Donald claimed 10 Pro Bowl berths and eight first-team All-Pro selections during his 10-year career. He recorded 111 career sacks and led the league with 20.5 in 2018. Donald's pressure on Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in Super Bowl LVI forced an incomplete pass on fourth down that helped the Rams secure a Lombardi Trophy at their home stadium.
The 35-year-old often posts workout videos on social media and recently shared a video of himself doing pull-ups with the caption "ready." He still spends most of his time in Los Angeles with his family and has remained in the area since announcing his retirement in March 2024.
Donald would join a Rams defense that also features All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, who was acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs for a package that included a 2026 first-round pick. L.A. ranked 10th in points allowed last season, but it surrendered 396 yards to the Seattle Seahawks in a 31-27 NFC Championship Game loss.
