Rams legend Aaron Donald ends retirement to boost Super Bowl bid
Aaron Donald, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams, the team he played for from 2014 to 2024. The 35-year-old defensive tackle will earn up to $30 million with bonuses, joining a roster that already includes reigning MVP Matthew Stafford and 2025 sack record-holder Myles Garrett. Donald's return comes after the Rams acquired Garrett in June, and the team is now the betting favorite to win the Super Bowl at their home stadium.
Donald's return reunites him with a Rams squad that has been transformed since his 2024 retirement. The team's June trade for Myles Garrett, who set the NFL's single-season sack record in 2025, created the defensive front that reportedly fueled speculation about Donald's comeback. His one-year contract guarantees $20 million, with incentives potentially raising the total to $30 million.
At 35, Donald is attempting a comeback after two years away from the game. During his original tenure, he accumulated 111 sacks — a franchise record — despite being undersized for his position at 6ft 1in and 280 pounds. The Rams open their season September 10 against the San Francisco 49ers, with a potential Super Bowl appearance at SoFi Stadium, where they won the championship in February 2022.
This signing could reshape the NFL's competitive landscape, as the Rams were already favored to win the Super Bowl before Donald's return. Fans may see heightened ticket demand and merchandise sales, while opposing offenses face a significantly more formidable defensive line. The move also signals how veteran players can leverage short-term, high-value contracts late in their careers, potentially influencing how other franchises approach roster construction with aging stars.