Scouts echo warnings from Hall of Famers about Aaron Donald returning to Rams

Before defensive superstar Aaron Donald confirmed that he was coming out of retirement to play for the Los Angeles Rams this season, multiple Hall of Famers warned that Donald shouldn't expect to be the player of old at the age of 35. 

For a piece published on Wednesday, NFL reporters Eric Williams and Ralph Vacchiano spoke "with scouts and people around the league" who echoed what those Hall of Famers said about Donald coming out of retirement.

Is Aaron Donald "not great anymore?"

"My guess is he is a good player, but not great anymore," one league source said about Donald. "I think he plays around 35% to 40% of the defensive snaps for the Rams this year. To me, it’s more about his age than missing time. How many great 35-year-old defensive players are there in the NFL right now?"

Donald hasn't played in a competitive game since he retired in March 2024. A recent report said that the Rams' plan is "to play him 30-40 snaps per game," and it seems like he may not make his in-game return until the Rams host the New York Giants for a Week 2 "Monday Night Football" matchup on Sept. 21.

"Look, he’s an all-time great player," one NFL scout said about Donald. "He’s probably still great. I wouldn’t bet against him. But he’s not immune to reality. He’s 35. He retired three years ago. It’s not easy to play at that age. It’s even harder being away for so long."

Aaron Donald is "going to feel" being an active NFL player again

Shortly after Donald inked his contract to return to the Rams, he said he is "100 percent" certain he can be what he was when he earned Defensive Player of the Year Award honors on three occasions. According to one scout who spoke with the Fox Sports writers, Donald may struggle to stay healthy. 

"If he’s healthy, you can’t block [both Donald and star pass-rusher Myles Garrett]. It’s a problem for everybody," that scout explained. "But it’s the health I’m worried about. [Donald will] say he’s in phenomenal shape. I’m sure he looks it. But working out for a few years is different than playing football for a few years. It just is. And he’s going to feel it." 

It remains to be seen whether Donald will have any regrets about his decision before Christmastime comes around.