Add The California Post on Google Aaron Donald‘s comeback has gone from pure fantasy to a legitimate NFL conversation.
Speaking on his podcast this week, ESPN insider Adam Schefter said he believes it is now “more likely than not” that the future Hall of Famer returns to the Los Angeles Rams after retiring following the 2023 season.
Schefter was careful to note that nobody inside the organization is guaranteeing anything. In fact, he repeatedly stressed that a Donald comeback remains speculative. What caught his attention, however, is how many people around the league are treating the possibility as real.
“I think when you talk to all the people involved, nobody is coming out right now and saying Aaron Donald is coming back, but everybody is acknowledging that it is a possibility,” Schefter said.
The Rams stunned the NFL by acquiring the two-time Defensive Player of the Year from Cleveland, instantly boosting a championship-caliber roster to a new level and raising an intriguing question: Would Donald be interested in one more run if it meant lining up next to the league’s most dominant edge rusher?
“The fact that this is even coming up, the fact that the Rams have the team they do, the fact that Aaron Donald would get to play with Myles Garrett, the fact that the Super Bowl is in Los Angeles this year … I just think the ingredients are there to make it happen,” Schefter said.
Donald himself helped fuel the speculation. After Pat McAfee reached out following the Garrett trade, Donald admitted the move “for sure got me thinking.” But he also provided McAfee with a caveat to that, “Gotta see if that fire can light back up.”
That represents a notable shift from November, when Donald said he was fulfilled in retirement and no longer loved playing football.
Schefter acknowledged financial considerations of the possible reunion, noting that people inside the Rams organization view it as financially difficult. Rival executives, however, aren’t buying the cap concerns.
“When you speak to other teams, they’re like, ‘They’ll find the money. They’ll make it happen,'” Schefter said.
If Donald does return, Schefter doesn’t envision a midseason cameo.
“If he’s going to do it.” Schefter said. “he’s going to be all in.”
That could mean a longer than normal ramp up period, possible modified practice schedule and a reduced workload, but not a half-hearted comeback.
For now, the Rams are letting Donald think it over. But according to Schefter, the conversation has already advanced beyond wishful thinking.
And for the first time since Donald walked away, a return feels more realistic than ever.
