Overview
- The Rams announced on Sunday that Aaron Donald, who retired in 2024, will return for the 2026 season after signing a reported one-year contract worth $20 million.
- Donald completed roughly 12 to 13 weeks of individual training and reportedly took part in multiple Rams workouts as he prepared to come out of retirement.
- The move pairs Donald with offseason acquisition Myles Garrett, creating a high-end pass rush combination that changes the Rams’ defensive outlook.
- Team and media coverage stress that Donald’s playing availability, snap counts and exact role will be decided by how his body responds to team training and the coaching plan.
- Donald’s return brings elite career credentials to Los Angeles—three Defensive Player of the Year awards, a Super Bowl title and double-digit Pro Bowl selections—and leaves key watch points for the season in conditioning, usage and how the Rams managed salary-cap logistics to make the deal.