Aaron Donald works out for Rams, signaling possible comeback

Speculation about a potential NFL comeback by legendary defensive tackle Aaron Donald intensified on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, after he participated in a formal workout with the Los Angeles Rams at their team facility. The session, which the Rams were required to report to the league as a tryout, has fueled expectations that the three-time Defensive Player of the Year could end his two-and-a-half-year retirement to rejoin his former team.

The 35-year-old Donald, who retired in March 2024 after a decorated 10-year career with the Rams, reportedly wanted to work out in a helmet using team-issued equipment, prompting the formal notification. Rams head coach Sean McVay characterized the workout as a procedural step, joking that it was the best tryout the team had ever seen. He expressed cautious optimism about Donald's potential return, stating that if there's an arrow indicating the likelihood, it is pointing upward.

Donald's consideration of a comeback gained significant momentum after the Rams executed a blockbuster trade this offseason to acquire star defensive end Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns. Garrett, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year who set the NFL's...