Jared Goff Isn't Ready to See Aaron Donald Again

"Man, in that playoff game we beat him, and I'm like, 'We did it. Aaron's done. I don't have to see him ever again,'" Goff said on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast. “And he's like, 'Hold on, I might come back.' So we'll see if he comes back. I'm sure he'll help them."

Donald's return would be another piece for a roster already considered a Super Bowl favorite.

Two months after the Lions loss, Donald retired, leaving $30 million on his contract and capping a career headed for the Hall of Fame. This offseason, when the Rams acquired All-Pro and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, interest grew in a possible Donald return and the fearsome tandem he and Garrett could form on the defensive line, enough that Donald has begun the process to determine if he could return as the player he once was.

Just this weekend, the eight-time All-Pro had his second workout with the Rams at their Woodland Hills training facility, adding to speculation about whether Donald will return and whether he'll be ready for the Week 1 season opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia.

Jared Goff on Aaron Donald potential return: 'Hopefully Zero' Snaps

When asked how many snaps he believes the former three-time Defensive Player of the Year could play, Goff jokingly replied, “hopefully zero."

"Yeah, hopefully see him in the playoffs," Goff said. "Can't say enough good things about him. He's a great player."

Goff spent five seasons as Donald’s teammate in Los Angeles; the two reached the playoffs together three times, capturing one NFC West title and reaching Super Bowl LIII, where the Rams fell to the New England Patriots. After the 2020 season and another playoff loss in the divisional round, the Rams traded Goff to the Lions for Matthew Stafford, who led them to a Super Bowl title, Donald's first.

While Goff is still searching for his first championship, Donald could once again stand in his way.