As if the Los Angeles Rams weren’t favorites enough to win Super Bowl LXI, Aaron Donald worked out with the team hinting towards a potential return to NFL action. Although Donald retired after the 2023 NFL season, he has been considering a return to activity.
Donald’s last game in the NFL came during the 2023 NFL playoffs. The unstoppable defensive lineman hung up his cleats after the Detroit Lions eliminated the Rams in the NFC Wild Card Round on Jan. 14, 2024. Donald finished the game with three total tackles (one solo) and no sacks.
That was Detroit’s first postseason win in 32 years and Donald’s final NFL game. Two years later, however, Donald (35) could be back in the league, and the Rams could be seeking revenge in ways that once seemed impossible.
Rams couldn’t keep Donald’s practice under wraps
It’s unclear whether the Rams intended to announce it or not, but even if the team hoped to keep Donald’s workout a secret, a report explains why they couldn’t—and why they had to inform the NFL about their star guest taking part in practice.
Aaron Donald points to his ring finger after winning Super Bowl LVI.
“Aaron Donald wanted to do a workout in a football helmet, and even though he did not wear pads during it, he used Rams’ team equipment at their facility during training camp, requiring them to report his activity to the NFL,” Adam Schefter reported.
The news getting out may not be the worst thing in the world for the Rams, though. Los Angeles is undoubtedly sending a message with Donald’s workout, as it could form a dream duo—or a nightmare, depending on which side of the line of scrimmage one is standing on—that no offensive line may have an answer for.
Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald could join forces
It sounds ridiculous even writing it. Still, it’s shaping up to be a real possibility. Trading for Myles Garrett had already placed this Rams defense among the best in the NFL. If Donald indeed returns to Los Angeles, then the defense (coordinated by Chris Shula) could earn a place among the best in league history.
Only days ago, Garrett issued a warning to the rest of the NFL: “If [Donald] is here, I’m going to be excited to be his partner in crime, and I think we can do great things together.” Talk about manifesting. It appears Donald may indeed be on his way back to the organization he spent his entire NFL career with, chasing another Super Bowl after winning one, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, 10 Pro Bowls, and eight first-team All-Pro selections.
Still, Donald’s legacy and his career may be too great to settle for only one Super Bowl ring, and if he is returning to the NFL, it would be to chase more silverware.
