Will Aaron Donald unretire? What Sean McVay's reaction and NFL history has to say about possible return

Key Takeaways

• Donald last played in 2023 and earned an eighth first-team All-Pro nod and 10th Pro Bowl at age 32, and he has appeared on the NFL transaction wire as 'trying out' for the Rams after workouts at their facility.
• The Rams traded for Myles Garrett, which they framed as an 'all in' move and which reportedly sparked Donald’s interest in returning to football.
• The 2026 Rams are depicted as the overwhelming Super Bowl favorites, with teammates delivering peak seasons across offense and defense, suggesting Donald might not need to carry the load he did earlier in his career.
• Sean McVay publicly teased a potential return when pressed, implying Donald would play only if he could perform at his accustomed dominant level and noting Donald has taken great care of himself.
• Historical precedent for unretirement is extremely limited; Deion Sanders is the only Pro Football Hall of Famer since WWII to come back after multiple missing seasons, and his 2004–2005 returns were hampered by injuries.
• Sanders’ comeback involved waiting until training camp and the preseason, an approach Donald would need to avoid if he wants to hit 2026 ready to roll, given the Rams’ current roster construction.
• The Rams’ window includes expiring rookie contracts for Nacua and Young after 2026, meaning the roster could look markedly different in 2027, adding urgency to any decision about returning.