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Sean McVay opens door for Aaron Donald to form terrifying Rams duo with Myles Garrett originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Rams already added the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. They might not be finished building the league’s most intimidating defensive front.
Rams coach Sean McVay confirmed Saturday that Aaron Donald is putting himself through a demanding training program while considering a return to the NFL. Donald retired in March 2024 after spending 10 seasons with Los Angeles. The arrival of Myles Garrett, however, has apparently created enough excitement for the three-time Defensive Player of the Year to think seriously about playing again.
If Donald decides he is ready, McVay made it clear the Rams will do everything possible to bring him back.
“If he wants to play, we are going to try to be able to make that happen,” McVay said on the opening day of Rams training camp.
The possibility remains entirely in Donald’s hands, but McVay is no longer hiding his excitement about potentially pairing two of the greatest defensive players of their generation.
Aaron Donald testing body for possible NFL return
McVay said Donald is following a “very strict, regimented process” designed to determine whether his body can withstand the demands of another NFL season.
That does not guarantee Donald will return. It does show the future Hall of Famer is treating the possibility seriously.
“For those of you guys that do know Aaron, he’s very diligent,” McVay said. “Anything that he does, he does all-in. And so he’s going through a very strict, regimented process that was similar to what he did when he played.”
Donald will turn 36 before the 2027 playoffs and has not appeared in an NFL game since the conclusion of the 2023 season. Returning after more than two years away would be a significant physical challenge, even for one of the most dominant defensive players in league history. McVay said he “genuinely” does not know which direction Donald will choose.
“We’ll see how his body’s responding to some of the training and the way that he puts himself through the paces to know what it looks and feels like to be ready to take on what the rigors of an NFL season entail,” McVay said.
There is one thing McVay does not question.
“If he feels good, then you guys know he’s going to be ready to rock,” he said.
Myles Garrett trade changed conversation
McVay admitted he never expected Donald’s return to become a realistic discussion. That changed when the Rams began exploring a blockbuster trade for Garrett.
Los Angeles acquired Garrett from the Cleveland Browns in June after he produced an NFL-record 23 sacks during the 2025 season. McVay reached out to Donald for his opinion before the organization finalized the move.
Those conversations opened the door to something much bigger. Donald has immense respect for Garrett, and the idea of lining up alongside another historically gifted pass rusher appears to have sparked his competitive side.
“But this is his decision,” McVay said. “He’s earned the right to be able to do it on his terms. And that’s why I think you guys are seeing us take this approach. But I did not ever really think this would be something, but I’m not going to sit here and act like I’m not excited about the possibility of it.”
Garrett joined Los Angeles because he wanted an opportunity to compete for a championship. Adding Donald to the defensive front would make that goal feel even more realistic. Offenses would have to account for Garrett screaming off the edge while Donald attacks from the interior. Double-teaming one would create favorable matchups for the other, leaving quarterbacks with few comfortable places to move.
MORE: Rams make $25.4 million Ty Simpson decision as training camp begins
Donald would make Rams a Super Bowl favorite
Donald retired with 111 sacks, 543 tackles, 176 tackles for loss and 260 quarterback hits. The former Pittsburgh star won three Defensive Player of the Year awards, earned eight first-team All-Pro selections and made the Pro Bowl in each of his 10 seasons. He also delivered the decisive pressure against Joe Burrow that secured the Rams’ victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl 56.
Donald had nothing left to prove when he retired.
That is why McVay is allowing him to make the decision without pressure or an artificial deadline. The Rams want Donald back only if he believes he can meet his own extraordinarily high standard.
Los Angeles is already positioned to contend without him. The Rams finished 12-5 last season and reached the NFC Championship Game before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. They responded by adding Garrett and star cornerback Trent McDuffie to a defense built for another deep postseason run.
Matthew Stafford also returns after winning NFL MVP and leading the league with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns. Bringing back Donald would require the Rams to work through significant contractual and salary-cap questions. McVay’s comments suggest the organization views those issues as solvable if Donald decides he wants to play.
The biggest question is whether Donald’s body and competitive fire tell him to return. If the answer is yes, Los Angeles could enter the season with Stafford leading the offense and Donald joining Garrett on a potentially terrifying defense.
McVay once considered that possibility unrealistic. Now the Rams are waiting to see if one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history wants one final run at another championship.
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