Veteran defensive lineman Aaron Donald has participated in two official workouts with the Los Angeles Rams this summer, fueling speculation about a potential return to the NFL after announcing his retirement. NFL insider Ian Rapoport detailed the reasons behind these sessions on Monday during an appearance on "Good Morning Football."
Rapoport explained that Donald is engaging in these workouts, which involve donning pads and helmets, as a personal tryout to assess how his body responds and acclimates to the demands of the sport. "What happened again is, Aaron Donald put on some helmets, put on some pads, and worked out for the Rams," Rapoport stated. "He is really just going through the process" to determine if he is physically ready to play again.
If Donald finds that his body is responding favorably, Rapoport indicated that a return to football appears likely for the 35-year-old, who played for the Rams from 2014 to 2023 before retiring. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year has also been active on social media, sharing videos of himself training, and was recently observed participating in football drills at UCLA's practice facility.
The Rams organization has maintained that there is no set timeline for Donald's decision. "It really doesn’t have to be anytime. It has to be whenever Aaron Donald wants," Rapoport said. "No doubt the team will welcome him with open arms if he decides to play." Head coach Sean McVay has echoed this sentiment, stating the team would gladly welcome Donald back following the Rams’ preseason victory against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Teammate Myles Garrett, a significant offseason acquisition for the Rams, expressed that while he doesn't wish to pressure Donald into returning, he believes they could achieve "great things together" on the field.