“Quarterbacks Rejoice”—a short statement from the Los Angeles Rams that could not nearly encapsulate the loss their organization had just suffered. While coaches and players across the nation were celebrating and thanking God, the Rams had just lost one of their biggest defensive threats. After 10 impressive seasons (154 games) in which he recorded 110 sacks, played in 10 Pro Bowls, and made two Super Bowl appearances (with a win in 2022 over the Cincinnati Bengals), Aaron Donald was finally entering retirement.
Well, now, two and a half years later, it’s the Rams’ turn to rejoice. On August 30, roster finalization day, Donald announced his return, signing a one-year, $20 million contract with the potential to earn an additional $10 million in incentives. This decision ultimately takes him out of Pro Football Hall of Fame contention, but it seems he doesn’t mind so long as he’s back out on the field.
This decision, not an easy one, came after the Rams’ major trade on June 1 in which they acquired Cleveland Brown’s star defensive lineman, Myles Garret. In his time since being drafted in 2017, Garret has exceeded expectations, receiving two Defensive Player of the Year awards, seven Pro Bowl selections, five first-team All-Pro Honors, and plenty of ESPY awards. His move caught the eye of Rams fans, who immediately began calling for Donald’s return, hoping the two men would create an unstoppable, Super Bowl-worthy defensive line.
With such a big commitment, Aaron Donald had a lot to consider. For starters, he had to think of his wife and family. Upon his retirement in 2024, Donald explained that a huge motivator was the need to be around for his wife and kids. This constant strife between commitment to one’s sport versus commitment to one’s family is what tore Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen apart in 2022, and Donald did not want the same for his family.
Surprisingly, Erica Donald really encouraged the idea of Aaron’s return. In a meeting with reporters, Aaron was quoted as saying, “My wife was on board. She said, ‘If you want to do this, (I’m) with (you) 100%,’ and there were days when I was like, ‘I don’t know.’ She talked to me enough to be like, ‘You want to do this.” He also shared how he had talks with his children and wanted to make sure that they were ok with him going back to the NFL. It was a big sacrifice on both sides, and while he was not going to be any less supportive of his children, he would be less present in their lives.
This commitment to his personal life is part of what makes Aaron Donald so special. He takes the time to consider others and values others’ opinions as much as he values his own wants and needs. He sees more than just the game of football; he sees ways to serve others through his own successes. Part of the reason Donald has become so respected is that he takes his concern for others out into the community, starting the AD99 charity, as well as volunteering and visiting hospitals.
This idea of involvement outside of football is another thing that took Aaron Donald away from the game. He shared with the media, “I felt like I didn’t have the passion to train all year round anymore. I didn’t have the passion to think about playing 17 games and all the work that I gotta put into it.”
After daily talks with head coach Sean McVay and lots of intense, albeit impressive, training, it looks like that passion has returned. McVay was incredibly supportive of Donald’s return but never pushed anything. The two explained they had a long history and a great bond, a sense of togetherness that never really ended with Aaron’s retirement.
As far as training went, Aaron Donald knew he had a hard road ahead of him. He had to first get back to the condition he was in during the 2023 season, and then he had to improve upon that to continue being one of the top defensive tackles in the league. He currently follows a 6-day workout regimen that focuses on speed, strength, agility, and endurance. The high physical and mental demands of this workout are met with one day of rest and an equally specific meal plan in which he consumes around 5,000 calories per day.
Fans have taken a great interest in Donald’s training. In fact, they have taken great interest in everything Aaron Donald has done in the past few months. The question on everyone’s minds: “Will he be the Aaron Donald of old? Could he come back stronger, or will this just be another time when someone should have moved on from the past for good?” The Rams could go on a generational run with the powerful defensive duo, winning their second Super Bowl in 5 years. However, maybe they won’t be able to put it all together and won’t be able to live up to expectations. One thing is for sure: even if you aren’t a Rams fan (or even a football fan), you’ll want to keep an eye on this comeback story.