McVay: Aaron Donald Return To Rams 'Trending Upward'

Aaron Donald eyes Rams return after Hall Of Fame career

After being seen training at the Rams facility, Aaron Donald's potential comeback is “trending upward” per Sean McVay, who says talks are ongoing.

Aaron Donald comeback? McVay hints at possible Rams return...

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said Friday that the chances of superstar Aaron Donald coming out of retirement are "trending upward.”

  

The 35-year-old Donald retired in 2024 after playing all 10 seasons of his NFL career with the Rams.

Earlier this week, McVay said he’d been talking with Donald about a potential return but stayed vague. That came after Donald was spotted training at the Rams facility.

Donald was named First-Team All-Pro eight times in 10 seasons. The other two years were his rookie season, when he won Defensive Rookie of the Year, and 2022, when a high ankle sprain limited him to 11 games.

“Things are going in the right direction. If there’s an arrow, it’s trending upward.” — LA Rams head coach Sean McVay on the latest on Aaron Donald’s return.
He added that there won’t be an announcement or any news until after the team returns to their training facility in…

— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) August 1, 2026

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year finished top five in voting seven times. Donald also recorded double-digit sacks in six seasons, including five straight from 2017 to 2021.

Sean McVay provides an update on Aaron Donald. 👀 pic.twitter.com/YAPUQnXo29

— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) July 28, 2026

 

In 2018, Donald set an NFL record for interior linemen with 20.5 sacks. That same year he also led the league with 25 tackles for loss. He later helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI in 2022 before retiring two years later.

Do the Rams really NEED Aaron Donald?

HC Sean McVay on the possibility of the 3x DPOY’s return 👀@RamsNFL | @AaronDonald97 | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/xFv1zIJa21

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) July 28, 2026

The 10-time Pro Bowler finished with 543 tackles, 260 QB hits, 176 tackles for loss, 111.0 sacks, 24 forced fumbles, 21 pass breakups, and 1 safety across 154 games, 150 of them starts.