Aaron Donald ends retirement and rejoins Los Angeles Rams

Aaron Donald has ended his retirement and re-signed with the Los Angeles Rams for the upcoming NFL season, a move reported on 30 August 2026; the 35-year-old returns to a Rams squad that was already being labelled a betting favourite to win the Super Bowl this season.

Donald is returning to the only professional team he has played for after a 10-season spell with the Rams; he was selected 13th overall in the 2014 draft, was a 10-time Pro Bowler, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and an eight-time first-team All-Pro, and he announced his retirement in March 2024 at the age of 32 after winning a Super Bowl at the end of the 2021 season.

The Rams’ roster into which Donald returns already features reigning MVP Matthew Stafford at quarterback and Myles Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, whom Los Angeles acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Browns in June.

ESPN reports Donald has agreed a one-year contract worth $20m that could rise to $30m with bonuses.

Reports said rumours of a comeback circulated after the Garrett trade. Rams head coach Sean McVay said the 10-time Pro Bowler had been "outstanding" during a workout this summer and McVay had undergone a "very strict, regimented process that was similar to what he did when he played" to see if he was still able to play in the NFL.

When he retired Donald was listed at 6ft 1in and 280 lbs; despite being small for a defensive tackle he relied on his athleticism and work rate during his first spell with the Rams and finished that run with a franchise record 111 sacks. If Donald can approach his previous form he will pair with Garrett, who set the NFL single-season sack record in 2025, on a strengthened defensive line.

If the Rams reach the Super Bowl this season they would play on home turf at SoFi Stadium, the venue for their championship victory in February 2022; Los Angeles open their season on 10 September against NFC West rivals the San Francisco 49ers.