Add The California Post on Google Aaron Donald has not announced a return to the Rams.
But the noise around a potential comeback is getting louder daily.
The latest spark came from Donald, who posted a workout video Tuesday with the simple caption, “work.” On its own, that would not be unusual. Donald has long been known as one of the NFL’s most committed weight-room monsters, and retirement has not changed that.
But the timing only added to the growing belief that the future Hall of Fame defensive tackle may not be done after all.
Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom added fuel to that speculation this week, posting on X, “Is it just a matter of when and not if with Aaron Donald coming back?”
In his report, La Canfora wrote that what began as speculation has now become “very well-informed buzz,” with Donald reportedly wanting to play alongside Myles Garrett, whom the Rams acquired this offseason.
La Canfora also reported that Donald has told more people inside the Rams’ organization how strongly he is leaning toward ending his retirement.
There is still no firm timetable. Donald is not expected to show up at the start of training camp, and the Rams would likely take a patient approach if he returns. How patient will Donald force the Rams to be is certainly up for debate.
A pitch count and gradual ramp-up would make sense for a player who has not played since the 2023 season.
He did not retire as a fading veteran hanging on for one more year. He left as a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, eight-time All-Pro, 10-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion who was still one of the most feared defensive players in football.
In his workout videos, Donald is not moving like someone who has drifted away from the game. In recent clips, he is seen throwing around massive dumbbells with the kind of ease that made his offseason training clips legendary during his playing career.
Even in retirement, Donald still looks like a player capable of wrecking a protection plan.
One NFL general manager told La Canfora that Donald would still be “a problem” if he returned, noting that he has stayed in shape and may not need long to get back into game condition.
The Rams already made one of the biggest offseason moves by adding Garrett. Pairing him with Donald, even the 35-year-old version, would give Los Angeles one of the NFL’s most intimidating defensive fronts. It would also dramatically change the ceiling of a team already being discussed as a Super Bowl favorite.
For now, Donald has not made anything official. The Rams appear willing to let him operate on his own timeline, and there is no reason for the franchise to rush him into a July training camp appearance.
But every new clue makes the question feel less like whether he will come back and more like when.
