NFL teams reportedly think Rams are willing to make bold Aaron Donald decision

Defensive superstar Aaron Donald seemingly wants it known that he could come out of retirement and rejoin the Los Angeles Rams after his former club acquired two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns earlier this week.

Some understandably have wondered if Donald would take part in training-camp practices to get ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season. According to NFL insider Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom US, the Rams won't be rushing Donald to make a decision anytime soon. 

Rams would welcome Aaron Donald back at any point this season? 

"There is mounting chatter among players who know Donald, as well as in coaching and scouting circles, that Donald could be back at some point in 2026," La Canfora wrote. "While some have started the drumbeat now, with training camp a little over a month away, the reality is the Rams would keep the door ajar for Donald to return at any point it made sense, according to league sources, whether that early in-season or midseason or whatever." 

Rams general manager Les Snead raised eyebrows when he suggested this week that Donald is thinking about making an NFL comeback "for the first time" since the future Hall of Famer retired following the 2023 season. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year looks like he could still terrorize opposing offenses, but it's unclear how long the 35-year-old would need to get himself ready to play in meaningful games against live offenses. 

NFL general manager thinks Rams would give Aaron Donald plenty of time

As of Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Rams as the overwhelming betting favorites to win Super Bowl LXI in February 2027. Needless to say, certain insiders would be downright shocked if the Rams aren't participating in the league's next postseason tournament. 

"Multiple executives pointed out the Rams would really only need Donald back on their roster by midseason to get him prepared to play in a handful of games in the regular season and be in form for the playoffs," La Canfora noted.

La Canfora also spoke with one unnamed general manager who thinks the Rams will only need Donald to be in game shape "by the playoffs." In short, it sounds like outsiders may have to wait until later in the year to find out if Donald and Garrett will find themselves chasing the same quarterback during a game.