​Aaron Donald has been away from the NFL for the last two seasons, but the possibility of a comeback continues to swirl. While Philip Rivers had already stepped away from the game for three years, the Indianapolis Colts once pulled the veteran off the couch to serve as an injury replacement. This time, however, Donald isn’t being called in as a stopgap. He’s been summoned because the Los Angeles Rams appear to have constructed what could be the most formidable Super Bowl contender in the league, and the 35-year-old pass rusher might be enticed by one more shot at the big prize. If that shot comes with a chance to line up alongside another all-time great defensive lineman—Myles Garrett—the appeal grows even stronger.
There has been plenty of chatter and smoke around the idea of Donald returning to play another season in 2026 with the Rams. Recently, he did show up for a workout at the team’s facility, a move that certainly keeps the rumor mill alive. With more moments like that in the public eye, speculation about a comeback isn’t likely to fade anytime soon. The intrigue was amplified when Garrett posted a photo of Donald’s old Rams No. 99 jersey with the caption “Unpacking,” adding fuel to the fire about a possible reunion on the field.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Donald still has access to the Rams’ facility, where he can often be spotted training. That ongoing presence doesn’t necessarily prove a return is imminent, but it doesn’t rule it out either. It could simply be a way for him to gauge his current capabilities, with the potential for Rams staffers who happen to observe the workouts to get a sense of where he stands physically. The optics of such continued participation naturally feed questions: Is Donald contemplating a comeback for one final Super Bowl push in Los Angeles?
Fowler notes that the Rams have not extended a contract offer to Donald yet. However, given the strength of his relationship with the Rams’ front office, negotiating a deal shouldn’t be insurmountable if Donald decides he wants to return. If there is genuine interest on his part, the path to a potential agreement could be relatively smooth, with both sides having reasons to explore a reunion. The landscape suggests that the opportunity could be there for Donald if he chooses to pursue it, and the Rams would likely welcome a proven game-changing talent back into their locker room.
In the broader sense, the situation sits at an interesting crossroads. Donald’s two-year hiatus is substantial, and age is a factor, but his career-long impact is undeniable. The Rams appear to be in a position to contend, and adding a player of Donald’s caliber would upgrade their defensive front in a way that could tilt outcomes in big-game scenarios. For Donald, the allure of chasing another Lombardi Trophy—especially alongside someone like Garrett, who is also viewed through the lens of future Hall of Fame consideration—could be irresistible. Yet, until there is a formal step, such as an official offer or a definitive statement from Donald, the question remains open-ended: will we see Aaron Donald back in a Rams uniform for another title run, or will this buzz eventually fade as just another offseason rumor?