The latest Myles Garrett trade could lure former defensive leader veteran Aaron Donald out of retirement before the 2026 season. As shocking as it might sound, the former first-round pick can play for at least one more season. It wasn’t too long before the Rams extended QB Matthew Stafford to one more year, and they recently overhauled their cornerback room, trading for Trent McDuffie and signing Jaylen Watson. There’s still room for improvement in the pass game, but if they acquire Donald to pair with Garrett, you might as well call them Super Bowl Champions next year.
However, there are some implications before the three-time defensive player of the year decides to play again. Aged 35, he isn’t the same he used to be, but the good news is that he’s kept in shape. Even if he doesn’t join immediately, there’s a chance he could join at some point during the season. According to Adam Schefter on Get Up, the Rams have little financial room to make this happen, but isn’t closing the idea entirely:
“Another team called and asked me yesterday, could the Rams sign Aaron Donald? And I said, ‘They’re out of money.’ And he said, ‘In this league, you can always find money,’” he said.
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If you read along the lines of “you can always find money,” that is true. The Rams were realistically out of funds once they acquired McDuffie, making him the highest-paid cornerback in the league. It’s a reason why the team hasn’t signed a WR to help Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, but don’t be shocked if they don’t stop there. If this offseason has taught anyone anything, it’s that the team is serious about a legitimate run for a Super Bowl, especially before Adams and Stafford retire.
Donald could probably come out of retirement if he’s needed in an emergency. This means the Rams could sign a friendly, low-cost contract to keep him for the playoffs. They won’t play him during the 2026 season, but he’d be a significant help, especially for Braden Fiske, who’s been a solid defensive end.
What’s Next for Aaron Donald?
The Super Bowl champion is teasing his return on X currently. It’s interesting timing for the defensive star to post his workouts on social media, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he gets called up for a workout in the next few weeks. However, the Pittsburgh product originally walked away from football while he was at the peak of his career. The future Hall of Famer finished the 2023 season, recording eight sacks and 16 tackles for loss en route to being a Pro Bowler for the 10th time and earning an eighth All-Pro nod.
Given that he’s been out of the game for two years, it’ll take time for him to get back into rhythm. Does the team truly need a veteran to return? Most likely not. However, the New England Patriots traded for WR AJ Brown the same day the Rams acquired Garrett. It could very well come down to New England and Los Angeles for the Super Bowl next year.
The good news for the Rams is that the team has enough defensive depth. Garrett and standout Byron Young are the new duo since the Rams got rid of Jared Verse in the trade. What this team needs is another WR. There have been rumors that the Rams could look into the free agent market before the 2026 season, as names like Deebo Samuel, Stefon Diggs and Keenan Allen are still looking for work.