Pro Football Rumors
The buzz surrounding Aaron Donald and the Rams continues. An expectation exists that a reunion between team and player will take place later this offseason.
SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora reports there is a “growing sense” within the Rams’ organization and around the league that Donald will indeed return to Los Angeles. No firm timeline is in place at the moment, but it has long been clear a mutual interest exists in this case. The future Hall of Famer could add further to a Rams defensive front which added Myles Garrett last month.
Donald was recently reported to be “seriously contemplating” a return for 2026. Questions have been raised about how much he would actually play in that scenario, and details on that front remain to be seen. Per La Canfora, Donald could be expected to miss time at the onset of training camp next month with his workload being limited early on. Nevertheless, he adds the three-time Defensive Player of the Year is viewed as a candidate to play “a majority” of the 2026 campaign.
The Rams included Jared Verse as part of the trade package to acquire Garrett, but the reigning DPoY is expected to offer a boost along the edge. Bringing Donald, 35, back into the fold would bolster an interior group which already features Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske along with Poona Ford as a depth option. Donald logged a defensive snap share of at least 81% every year from 2017 through to 2023. A similar workload would come as a surprise after a two-year absence, although the 10-time Pro Bowler would no doubt anticipate a regular role if/when he is back in the fold.
“He’s going to be a problem,” one general manager told La Canfora when speaking about Donald’s expected return. “He didn’t put on 50 pounds. He’s stayed in shape. I don’t think it’ll take him that long to get back in game shape.”
If that proves to be true, Donald’s second act will become a major storyline. The Rams are already positioned to serve as a serious Super Bowl contender, and finalizing a return in this case would add further to expectations in Los Angeles for the 2026 season.
