New NFL Rumors on Aaron Donald Coming Out of Retirement to Play for Rams After Viral Video

In the wake of a video showing Aaron Donald recently working out at the Los Angeles Rams facilities, rumors about his potential NFL comeback continue to swirl two weeks away from the start of training camps.

On the Sunday morning SportsCenter, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Donald has not made a "firm decision" about playing in 2026 but the door is at least open for the 10-time Pro Bowler to make a comeback:

"It feels like there's a potential possibility for him to show up and work, but he's been at the facility off and on really for the last few years working out, I can confirm that. I'm told he has not made a firm decision on whether to play and come out of retirement. It does seem like the Rams are at least leaning into that possibility, and the player is too. I recently talked to GM Les Snead who told me Aaron Donald is a 'principled individual,' so if he's going to make a big decision like coming out of retirement to play, he's got to do it all in and be ready to go; he doesn't want to do it halfway. So, this is a situation where a lot of people around the league are following this closely because you've got Myles Garrett up front, you've got a good defensive line, if you add Aaron Donald to that mix, they're going to be scary to try to cover."

On Friday, TMZ Sports published a video showing Donald at the Rams practice facilities and reportedly went through drills for close to an hour.

Rumors about Donald potentially returning to the Rams two years after retiring picked up steam in the wake of their trade with the Cleveland Browns for Myles Garrett.

Donald himself stoked the flames in a text message to Pat McAfee, saying the idea of playing alongside Garrett "got me thinking" about playing again.

ESPN's Adam Schefter said on June 9 that everyone was "acknowledging" a Donald return as a possibility, so there is "every possibility it will become more real" the closer it gets to the start of training camp.

Donald and Garrett also keeps dropping teases on social media that something could be in the works.

Donald's retirement after the 2023 season was a bit of a surprise because he was still playing at an elite level. He made the All-Pro first team in his final year and there were no major obvious injury concerns.

The 2022 campaign saw Donald miss six games due to a sprained ankle. It was the only time in his career he was out for more than two games in a season.

After making his retirement announcement, Donald explained his career felt "complete" at that point. He reached the 10-year mark, making him eligible for the top-tier retirement benefits.

The next key date on the calendar for the Rams is July 25 when all players are scheduled to report for training camp. Their first public practice will be held two days later.