Aaron Donald takes significant step toward return to Rams

Defensive tackle Aaron Donald. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Aaron Donald takes most significant step yet toward return to Rams

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Aug 5, 2026 6:05 PM ET

The thought of Aaron Donald suiting up again for the Los Angeles Rams this season is starting to get a little closer to becoming a reality.

Donald was at the Rams facility working out on Wednesday and was officially listed on the "tryout" list with the league.

Aaron Donald officially works out with Los Angeles Rams

The potential for a Donald return has been building all offseason, and there is growing optimism that it might actually happen.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Wednesday's workout was Donald wanting to do a workout with a helmet on. Even though he did not wear pads or officially take part in practice with the team, the fact that he used Rams equipment at their facility during training camp required it to be listed as an official workout/tryout.

There are a lot of technicalities there as to what Wednesday's activity meant and how involved it was, but he would not be going through all of this if he just wanted to stay in shape and was not seriously attempting a return.

Aaron Donald wanted to do a workout in a football helmet, and even though he did not wear pads during it, he used Rams’ team equipment at their facility during training camp, requiring them to report his activity to the NFL. https://t.co/4egBgDAiLH
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 5, 2026

The 35-year-old Donald last played in the NFL during the 2023 season when he was a first-team All-Pro and decided to walk away from the game while still close to the height of his powers.

During his 10-year career, played entirely with the Rams, he put together a resume that makes him not only one of the best defensive players of this era, but one of the single best and most dominant defensive players in the history of the sport.

He has been a first-team All-Pro eight different times and has won three Defensive Player of the Year awards.

If he does come back for the 2026 season, there is virtually no chance he will still be playing at that level, not only due to his age, but also the fact he has not played in the NFL in two years. But that does not mean he can not still make a huge impact and be a disruptive player along the Rams' defensive line.

The Rams already made one huge splash on their defense this offseason by trading for Myles Garrett, the player who is currently the top defensive player in the league, in a blockbuster deal with the Cleveland Browns.

If Donald comes out of retirement to join him, that would be five Defensive Player of the Year awards lining up on the same defensive line, with all five of them coming within the past nine years (Donald winning in 2017, 2018 and 2020, with Garrett winning in 2023 and 2025).

The Rams are already one of the league's top Super Bowl favorites. Having that sort of star power up front would only add to the preseason hype.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on X @AGretz

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