Aaron Donald’s possible return to the Los Angeles Rams remains unresolved as the team wraps up its preseason, with the star defensive tackle’s silence leaving the organization and the rest of the NFL in an unusual state of uncertainty. The Rams made a blockbuster move this offseason to acquire Myles Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, and the idea of Donald coming out of retirement to join him quickly stopped sounding like fantasy and started sounding inevitable. But with the regular season about to begin, the Rams still do not have a definitive answer from Donald. Donald has not played football for two seasons, having retired at age 35 with 111 career sacks, 24 forced fumbles, eight All-Pro selections, and three Defensive Player of the Year awards.
** Despite that, he has been seen back inside the Rams facility. He has put on pads, pushed sleds, trained in helmets and shoulder pads, and posted workout videos that do not look like the work of someone merely staying active. ** Those actions have fueled widespread assumption, including among some commentators, that he is preparing to return for a championship push rather than working out simply for fun. **
Rams coach Sean McVay, however, has repeatedly declined to put a deadline on Donald’s decision, saying the process has to happen on Donald’s own timeline.
** McVay has stated that the Rams have effectively planned for both scenarios, building two versions of their roster—one with Donald and one without. ** That approach has left observers divided over when, or if, Donald will actually play this season. **
One leading theory among analysts is that Donald, if he does return, will not be on the field for week one. ** That trip would be physically punishing for no purpose, the argument goes, especially since the Rams have a home game against the New York Giants in week two.
** Under that logic, Donald’s only real role this year would be to play well down the stretch and in the postseason, making an early overseas trip unnecessary. **
The expectation being discussed is that Donald could ramp up gradually, potentially returning at some point in the first month of the season and taking on a larger workload as the season progresses. ** Some analysts predict he could be ready to contribute meaningfully by the midpoint of the season. ** The Rams, meanwhile, are said to believe they know what Donald is doing and are not disconnected from the situation.
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There is also a belief among some observers that Donald has already made his decision internally. ** They argue that a family man of his stature would not be going through these preparations—showing up at the facility, wearing helmets, pushing sleds—without having already cleared the decision with his wife and family. ** That reasoning leads them to conclude that he will eventually play for the Rams, because the most important conversations have already happened. **
The situation has also drawn attention from around the league.
** While most assume Donald will end up back in Los Angeles, some analysts argue that other contenders, like the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, or Chicago Bears, should at least make a phone call to force him to say no. ** If Donald were interested in a little extra money, a different situation, or simply another path to a title, another team might be able to offer something the Rams can’t. ** The odds of Donald actually choosing another team may be small, but the possibility is seen as enough of a threat that teams cannot simply sit backand assume he is automatically returning to Los Angeles. **
There is also a technical hurdle for any interested team:** because Donald retired while under contract with the Rams, his rights are believed to be owned by Los Angeles.
** That would mean another team would have to trade for him rather than sign him as a free agent,** which could make a move difficult. ** Still, the mere possibility has been enough to make the situation uncomfortable for the rest of the NFL. **
On the field, the potential impact is clear to see. ** The Rams already have Myles Garrett, who set an NFL single-season record with 23 sacks last year.
** Adding Donald next to him, even in a limited role of perhaps 25 to 30 snaps a game, would create a defensive problem that analysts describe as potentially catastrophic. ** Double Garrett, and Donald gets the matchup;** double Donald, and Garrett gets the matchup. ** Try to protect the quarterback with extra blockers, and the Rams could attack from somewhere else. ** It would not simply be adding another great player;** it would be creating a dilemma that forces opposing offenses to choose which disaster they want to try to survive.
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That is why the Rams appear willing to wait as long as Donald needs. ** They believe they can survive without him, but they also understand that if he says yes, the team’s ceiling changes immediately. ** And that is where the pressure builds. ** Eventually, Donald has to make a decision—week one, week two, October, or perhaps not at all.
** The longer the silence continues, themore dramatic the final answer becomes. ** For now, the entire league is waiting for Aaron Donald to decide whether he will pick up the pen and finish his own story. **
