Schefter Weighs In on Aaron Donald Return amid Latest Rams Rumors After Myles Garrett Trade

ESPN insider Adam Schefter feels it's "more likely than not" former Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald will come out of retirement to join Myles Garrett on the Rams' defensive line next season.

"Everybody is acknowledging that it is a possibility," Schefter said about the Rams' comments about Donald on Tuesday's episode of the Adam Schefter Podcast. "And the fact that it is even a possibility in June tells me that I think there's every possibility it will become more real in July.

"I think, if and when they present a plan to him as to how he would be used, I think it's more likely than not that he'll be back."

Donald, who last played during the 2023 season, hinted he is considering a return to the NFL shortly after the Rams acquired Garrett from the Cleveland Browns.

"It still sounds like we're a ways away," Schefter said. "He has not gotten there yet... I just think the ingredients are there to make it happen."

Schefter continued: "If I had to guess, I would guess it does happen. That's just a guess, no information.

"I've spoken to people on the Rams, 'What do we think?' They're like, 'It's possible.' Tough to come up with the money, not easy to make happen. But when we speak to other teams, they're like, 'They'll find the money. They'll make it happen.'"

Schefter previously said shortly after the Garrett trade the Rams had told him they were out of money to bring in Donald after signing Trent McDuffie to a four-year, $124 million deal and acquiring Garrett's four-year, $160 million contract.

The Rams are currently projected by Over the Cap to have just under $19 million in 2026 cap space.

Donald told both ESPN's Pat McAfee and NFL insider Jordan Schultz shortly after the Garrett trade that he was considering making a comeback.

According to Schultz, Donald said: "I'm for sure flirting with the idea. Helluva an opportunity with the Super Bowl in SoFi this year. If I can find the fire, it's a possibility."

Rams general manager Les Snead did not shut down the idea of Donald returning when asked about the possibility last week on Wake Up Barstool.

"When I do think about it, it's kind of a cool— it would be a unique story to the Rams, for sure," Snead said last week.

Donald recorded eight sacks in 16 games of his final NFL season in 2023.

Whether Donald can get back to NFL speed in time for his age-35 campaign could determine whether the former Rams stars gets the chance to play with Garrett, who just broke the NFL's single-season sack record by racking up 23 in his final season with the Browns.