Aaron Donald Confident In His Return To NFL

Aaron Donald is returning to the NFL post-retirement. He is returning to the Rams for the first time since 2023 and is eager to get back on the field.

He believes he hasn’t missed a beat and is ready to compete at a high level. When asked, he responded with a firm “yes” and said “100%” when asked if he can still be himself.

The three-time defensive player of the year will join forces with another all-time talent in Myles Garrett. The two defensive linemen in their prime together would have been unfair and unheard of. It remains to be seen whether Donald’s confidence will translate into the same level of play he brought before retirement, but the upside of what Donald could bring should definitely excite Rams fans.

Donald looks forward to working alongside all the talent that the Rams have on defense. “I already thought it was a stacked D-line,” he said during a visit with the media.

Whether Donald will play week 1 is still up in the air. The Rams play the 49ers in Australia to open their season, and Coach Sean McVay declined to comment on Donald’s timetable. He did say that the Rams were “excited to have him back.”

The Rams are one of the Super Bowl favorites, and it is tough to see this addition hurt the team more than it could help. Even if Donald plays at 75%, it is an upgrade over almost anyone in the league at that position. The game in Melbourne is the first time the NFL heads to Australia for a regular-season game and would be an awesome spot for Donald to return, but the team isn’t rushing him back, and when he returns, it will be when he is fully ready to go.