Timeline for expected Aaron Donald, Rams decision revealed

At this point, it would be a significant surprise if defensive superstar Aaron Donald didn't return to the Los Angeles Rams' active roster to play during the 2026 season and instead elected to stay retired. 

On Thursday night, NFL insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk and NBC Sports revealed that the football world may soon learn of Donald's plans for the upcoming campaign. 

When Aaron Donald could reveal final decision about potential NFL return

"As retired defensive tackle Aaron Donald continues to work his way back into football shape, a decision regarding his potential return could happen in the coming days, per a source with knowledge of the situation," Florio wrote. 

Donald hasn't played since he retired in March 2024 as a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and a one-time Super Bowl champion. While he reportedly had been "very happy in retirement," it's now believed that the 35-year-old does not want to pass on the opportunity to play alongside elite pass-rusher Myles Garrett.

When could Aaron Donald make his re-debut with the Rams? 

Donald recently worked out at the Rams' facility and was officially listed on the NFL's "tryout" list for Wednesday. Much has been made about whether or not the future Hall of Famer feels he could get himself into "football shape" ahead of the Rams' regular-season opener versus the rival San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, on Sept. 10 (U.S. time). 

It sounds like the 49ers should expect to see Donald on the field roughly one month from now.

"If he decides to return," Florio added about Donald, "the Rams would ramp him up the same way they did when he missed all of training camp in 2017 and 2018, due to a holdout. The goal will be to get him on the field to engage in football activities in a team setting a few weeks before playing in a game. And if Donald does indeed emerge from retirement, the Rams would take him to Australia for the Week 1 game against the 49ers — with a goal, we’re told, of having him on the field for 30-40 snaps."

Of course, Donald could ultimately decide that he's done enough as an active player and no longer has a figurative football-related itch to scratch. That said, Florio seems confident that Donald will soon offer an update that should further excite Rams fans regarding what the team could accomplish from September through February 2027.