Will three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year defensive tackle Aaron Donald actually unretire and return to the Los Angeles Rams? The Rams’ acquisition of Myles Garrett has sparked Donald’s interest, and he has been spotted working out at the team’s facility, triggering a listing on the NFL’s transaction wire.

Why Donald Could Unretire

The Rams are already the overwhelming Super Bowl favorites, with quarterback Matthew Stafford leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns, wide receiver Puka Nacua leading the NFL in catches and receiving yards per game, and wide receiver Davante Adams leading the NFL in touchdown catches. Defensive end Myles Garrett set the NFL single-season sacks record with 23.0 sacks in 2025. With Garrett and Byron Young on either end of the defensive line, Donald wouldn’t face the same level of double teams that he did during his first run.

Sean McVay’s Reaction

Rams coach Sean McVay was asked about Donald’s potential return in an interview with CBS Sports HQ. When asked if he expects to see Donald play for the Rams in 2026, McVay provided a wide-mouthed smile. When asked if he expects to see Donald play in the month of September, McVay flashed a grin that displayed nearly every tooth in his mouth. When asked whether he expects Donald to perform at a level as dominant as he did in the past, McVay broke the rules of the game and provided a direct quote.

"This one deserves an answer," McVay said. "He’ll only going to do it if he feels like he can do it the way that he is accustomed to. He’s earned the right. He’s taken great care of himself. So I’ll say this."

McVay seems to expect Donald to suit up to start the 2026 season and look close to his all-time, future Pro Football Hall of Fame level.

The Deion Sanders Precedent

Cornerback Deion Sanders is the only Hall of Famer since World War II to come out of retirement after multiple seasons out of the league. Sanders retired in 2001 and returned to play two more NFL seasons for the Baltimore Ravens in 2004 and 2005. When Sanders unretired in 2004, a nagging hamstring limited him to nine games that season with just two starts. In 2005, Sanders played in all 16 games, starting just four, after getting his body back into the rhythm of being an NFL player.

Donald, however, doesn’t have a year to mess around with a nagging injury issue like Sanders did back in 2004. He needs to be ready to roll ASAP. Therefore, Donald needs to rip off the band-aid and retire now to maximize the Rams’ shot at delivering Super Bowl glory once again at SoFi Stadium.