Rams’ Coach Sean McVay Jokes About Aaron Donald’s Workout: ‘Best Tryout We’ve Ever Had!’

Aaron Donald conducted an official workout with the Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday, a session the league’s transaction wire formally classified as a tryout and one that head coach Sean McVay treated with a mix of humor and genuine optimism about a potential return.

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year, who hasn’t played since retiring after the 2023 season, worked out at the Rams’ facility using team equipment, which required the session to be reported to the league since he wore a helmet.

Donald did not wear pads. Asked afterward whether the workout amounted to a tryout, McVay didn’t hold back his enthusiasm, telling NFL Daily reporters, “Best tryout we’ve ever had,” and adding, “I think he could make the team.” McVay had signaled last week that no formal decision from Donald would arrive during training camp but described the situation as “trending upwards.”

Speculation about a possible Donald comeback has built steadily since June, when the Rams acquired reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett in a trade with Cleveland. Donald has said the move got him thinking seriously about rejoining the franchise where he spent his entire ten-year career, which included a Super Bowl title following the 2021 season and ten Pro Bowl selections. He was spotted running conditioning drills at the team’s Woodland Hills facility as early as mid-July, fueling further speculation ahead of Wednesday’s more formal workout.

Should Donald return, he’d join a defensive line already featuring Garrett alongside Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Poona Ford and Byron Young — a group that would immediately rank among the most talented fronts in the league. It remains unclear how much can be read into a non-padded workout for a 35-year-old defensive tackle, and no timeline has been set for an official decision from Donald on whether he intends to return for the 2026 season.