The first-place Los Angeles Rams are not expecting Aaron Donald to come out of retirement to help with their playoff push, and coach Sean McVay says he would feel uncomfortable even asking.
When McVay was asked on Monday if there was any chance of Donald coming back, he made it clear that he doesn’t expect it. He also said he wouldn’t bring up the subject with Donald, who retired last March after playing 10 seasons.
“I have a really special relationship with Aaron,” McVay said. “He has done so much, and he puts so much into everything. I would almost feel disrespectful reaching out to him, just based on the principles and knowing him the way that I do.
If that was something that he got interested in, then that would obviously be something that you’re always open to, but I almost feel like it would be disrespectful to broach that subject with him, just based on our conversations and the clarity and the completedness that he felt like he had when he stepped away when he did.”
Rams fans have been hoping for a comeback from Donald ever since he retired at 32 while still at the peak of his career. Donald won three AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards and was selected for 10 Pro Bowls during a career that included the Rams’ Super Bowl win in February 2022.
Donald finished with a franchise-record 111 sacks in his career, which he spent entirely with the Rams in both St. Louis and Los Angeles. He hasn’t given any public reason for fans’ hopes for his return, except for his regular appearances at sports events in Los Angeles, including at least one Rams game.
“I don’t think there’s anything but positive vibes, and I don’t think he could have any regrets based on the way he handled every single day of his career,” McVay said.
“I know he’s really happy doing the things that he’s doing right now, and he stays up with what we’re doing, and he still physically looks like he could go do some really special stuff on the field. But that wouldn’t be something that would come up, out of respect for him and our relationship.”
Donald probably couldn’t return this season even if he wanted to because players on the reserve/retired list can’t come back after Week 12. Donald was still under contract when he retired, so the Rams would have to release him if they wanted to sign him for the rest of the season. But then Donald would have to go through waivers before he could return.
The Rams had to rebuild their defensive line after Donald’s retirement, but it has become the strength of their otherwise inconsistent defense. Second-year players Kobie Turner and Byron Young, along with rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, have helped strengthen Los Angeles’ pass rush and run defense, though none of them are at Donald’s level.
McVay also said the Rams haven’t discussed bringing back receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who was waived by Miami last week. Beckham caught a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl and formed a close relationship with McVay and other Rams players during his memorable time in Los Angeles.
“That’s not something that we’ve talked about yet,” McVay said. “You know the respect I have for him, but that isn’t something that we’ve discussed.”
Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp lead the Rams’ solid group of receivers, with Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell playing important supporting roles.
The Rams (8-6) have surged to the top of the NFC West, winning seven of their last nine games since their bye week. They control their playoff chances as they get ready for a game against the New York Jets this weekend, followed by home divisional games against Arizona (7-7) and Seattle (8-6).
“It doesn’t change anything that we’ve talked about for the last handful of weeks,” McVay said about the Rams’ rise to first place after a 1-4 start. “Unless the season ended today, it’s all just temporary. … All of it is not relevant unless we continue to do something about it.”
