hawaiitribune_herald
Aaron Donald, the former Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle, engaged in a workout with the team on Wednesday, according to the NFL's transaction wire, sparking renewed speculation about a possible comeback to the league.
The session at the Rams' facility was technically labeled a tryout, but a team source, speaking on condition of anonymity, clarified that Donald simply wanted to participate in football-like drills while wearing a helmet, which required the team to report it to the league office.
Donald, who was selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, spent his entire 10-year career with the Rams. He earned three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards, made 10 Pro Bowl appearances, and was named an All-Pro eight times. His most memorable moment came when he made the game-sealing play in the Rams' Super Bowl LVI victory over the Cincinnati Bengals following the 2021 season.
The 35-year-old announced his retirement in March 2024. Since then, he has hinted at a possible return, especially after the Rams acquired Myles Garrett in a blockbuster trade this offseason. Donald has shared workout videos on social media, and ESPN's Pat McAfee reported in June that Donald admitted the Garrett trade "for sure got me thinking about coming back."
Momentum Building
In July, Rams head coach Sean McVay stated that a decision on Donald's return would not be made until after training camp, but the recent workout suggests progress. McVay noted, "If there's an arrow, it's pointing up," indicating growing optimism about Donald's potential return.
This report originally appeared in The Athletic and is part of The New York Times Company's 2026 content.
Originally reported by hawaiitribune_herald.