Aaron Donald Evaluating Future as Rams Consider Return in 2026

WHO:

therams.com - Rams head coach Sean McVay stated, "When Donald told McVay once he retired that he was 'complete' and 'full,' McVay believed that."

therams.com - Rams head coach Sean McVay stated, "For those of you guys that do know Aaron, he's very diligent. Anything that he does, he does all in."

therams.com - Rams head coach Sean McVay stated, "He is going through his process, and he is putting himself in a position to make a decision, and he's earned the right to be able to do that."

therams.com - McVay mentioned that Donald was one of six unanimous choices for the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.

therams.com - Current Rams players, including defensive end Braden Fiske and offensive lineman Steve Avila, expressed their sentiments about Donald's potential return.

ESPN - Rams head coach Sean McVay stated he "genuinely" does not know whether Donald will decide to return or stay retired.

therams.com - Rams head coach Sean McVay

therams.com - Aaron Donald, former Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle

therams.com - Current Rams players, including defensive end Braden Fiske and offensive lineman Steve Avila

ESPN - Myles Garrett, reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year

WHAT:

therams.com - McVay mentioned that the Rams' trade for Myles Garrett in June spurred conversation about the possibility of Donald returning to play alongside him.

therams.com - McVay mentioned that Donald registered eight sacks and 53 total tackles in 2023, earning his eighth Associated Press First-Team All-Pro selection and 10th Pro Bowl nod of his career.

ESPN - McVay stated, "If he feels good, then you guys know he's going to be ready to rock."

therams.com - McVay said, "If that is something that he wants to do, we are going to try to be able to make that happen."

therams.com - McVay stated, "I know he's preparing himself to be able to make that decision, and if he feels good, then you guys know he's going to be ready to rock."

therams.com - McVay stated, "If that is something that he wants to do, we are going to try to be able to make that happen."

ESPN - McVay mentioned that Donald is going through a "very strict, regimented process" similar to what he did when he played to assess how his body responds.

ESPN - McVay said, "We'll see how his body's responding to some of the training and the way that he puts himself through the paces to know what it looks and feels like to be ready to take on what the rigors of an NFL season entail."

therams.com - Braden Fiske stated, "I mean, him being the greatest of all time, I'm sure he'd have a pretty good impact, right?"

therams.com - Steve Avila remarked, "It would be awesome... I probably blocked him one time correctly, so I think it'll be awesome to have him back and just see where I stack up."

therams.com - McVay mentioned that Donald is "putting himself in a position to make a decision" regarding his potential return.

ESPN - McVay said, "If he feels good, then you guys know he's going to be ready to rock."

therams.com - Aaron Donald is evaluating whether to return from retirement.

therams.com - Donald last played in 2023, recording eight sacks and 53 total tackles.

therams.com - Donald announced his retirement in March 2024 after 10 NFL seasons.

therams.com - Donald is one of only three players in NFL history to win three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards.

therams.com - Donald concluded his career with 111 career sacks, achieving at least eight sacks in eight of his ten seasons.

therams.com - McVay stated that if Donald decides to return, the Rams will "try to be able to make that happen."

ESPN - Donald is undergoing a "very strict, regimented process" to make his decision.

WHERE:

ESPN - McVay addressed the media on the first day of training camp at Loyola Marymount University.

therams.com - Rams Training Camp presented by CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Los Angeles

ESPN - Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles

WHEN:

ESPN - McVay stated that left tackle Alaric Jackson, who was arrested on a domestic violence charge in June but will not face a felony charge, will be at training camp.

ESPN - McVay expects wide receiver Puka Nacua to participate in practice during the final season of his rookie deal.

ESPN - McVay stated that left tackle Alaric Jackson, who was arrested on a domestic violence charge in June, will be at training camp.

ESPN - McVay expects wide receiver Puka Nacua to participate in practice during the final season of his rookie deal.

ESPN - McVay stated that left tackle Alaric Jackson, who was arrested on a domestic violence charge in June, will be at training camp.

ESPN - McVay expects wide receiver Puka Nacua to participate in practice during the final season of his rookie deal.

ESPN - Left tackle Alaric Jackson, who was arrested on a domestic violence charge in June, will be at training camp.

ESPN - McVay expects wide receiver Puka Nacua to participate in practice during the final season of his rookie deal.

therams.com - Donald retired in March 2024.

ESPN - The Rams traded for Myles Garrett in June, which spurred discussions about Donald's potential return.

WHY:

therams.com - McVay said he asked Donald what he thought of Myles Garrett, which stimulated the conversation about Donald's potential return.

therams.com - McVay emphasized that Donald's decision is his own, stating, "He's earned the right to be able to do it on his terms."

therams.com - McVay mentioned that he respects Donald's decision-making process and acknowledges that he has "earned the right" to make his own choice.

ESPN - McVay reached out to Donald for his opinion when the team was discussing trading for Myles Garrett, which stimulated the conversation about Donald's potential return.

therams.com - The conversation about Donald's return was stimulated by the Rams exploring the possibility of acquiring Myles Garrett.

therams.com - McVay respects Donald's decision-making process and acknowledges that he has "earned the right" to make his own choice.

HOW:

therams.com - McVay noted that they will observe how Donald's body responds to the training he is undertaking.

therams.com - McVay stated that they will observe how Donald's body responds to the training he is undertaking.

therams.com - McVay noted that Donald is going through a "very strict, regimented process" similar to what he did when he played to assess how his body responds.

therams.com - Donald is going through a process similar to what he did when he played to assess how his body responds.

ESPN - McVay mentioned that they will observe how Donald's body responds to the training he is undertaking.

Rams head coach Sean McVay addressed the media at Loyola Marymount University, discussing the possibility of Aaron Donald returning to play after a conversation sparked by the Rams' trade for Myles Garrett. McVay recalled that Donald had expressed feeling "complete" and "full" upon his retirement, which made McVay believe he was truly finished. Additionally, McVay confirmed that left tackle Alaric Jackson, who faced a domestic violence charge in June but will not face a felony charge, is expected to be present at training camp.