Evan Jones '30

by Evan Jones '30 on September 17, 2026

When Aaron Donald walked away from football in 2024, everyone, from quarterbacks to offensive coordinators, breathed a sigh of relief. One of the most destructive interior forces was finally done after 10 years of Hall of Fame-level play. But two years away from the game wasn’t enough. He had to get back out on the field. Sparked by an impressive offseason and another shot at a ring, Donald officially came out of retirement for the Los Angeles Rams, making them a top pick for Super Bowl champions.

To understand why Donald’s return has opposing offenses concerned, you must first look at what he achieved before calling it quits. Over the 10 seasons he was in the league, Donald put up legendary numbers, racking up 542 total tackles, 111 sacks, and 24 forced fumbles. He also won three AP Defensive Player of the Year awards, joining Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt as the only three-time winners, while earning eight All-Pro selections, 10 Pro Bowls, and a Super Bowl LVI championship.

Donald is not returning to the same defense he left in 2024, either. Head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead have made several significant additions this offseason. By adding key defensive players, they have turned an already great defense into one of the league’s most formidable barricades. The offseason was highlighted by the blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett, who is coming off a record-shattering 23-sack season. With Donald and Garrett on the line, opposing offensive lines will face an almost impossible choice about where to focus their protection. Add in Trent McDuffie, a two-time Super Bowl champion and first-team All-Pro cornerback, and the Rams have given opposing offensive coordinators another major threat to account for.

The biggest question surrounding Donald’s return is whether he, after spending two years away from football, can still be as productive. At 35 years old, Donald is entering an age when most defensive linemen have retired. However, Donald did not retire because his skills had disappeared; he left due to a lack of passion, walking away while he was still one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the game. The two years away gave his body time to recover from the physical toll of playing in the NFL for a decade. If Donald can return to anywhere close to his old form, he could still have a significant impact on the Rams’ defense.

The fear surrounding his return isn’t just speculation, either. 49ers linebacker Fred Warner called Donald “one of the greatest of all time” and said San Francisco would have to make sure the Rams’ stars didn’t “wreck the game.”