NFL world reacts to Aaron Donald coming out of retirement

The Los Angeles Rams were already the Super Bowl LXI favorites, and now the greatest player in franchise history is coming out of retirement to return to the team.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport were the first to report on Sunday that defensive tackle Aaron Donald is coming out of retirement to return to the Rams.

Donald has agreed to a one-year, $20 million deal that could reach up to $30 million with incentives.

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He’s back: Rams star Aaron Donald is coming out of retirement and returning to the Rams on a one-year, $20M deal that with incentives could be worth up to $30M, per @rapsheet and me.

After two seasons away, Donald now will join forces with Myles Garrett, giving the… pic.twitter.com/LO2SoKHFwG

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2026

Donald, 35, last played in the NFL in 2023. He’s an eight-time first-team All-Pro selection, including in that 2023 season. And he’s been named the Defensive Player of the Year three times. He’s spent all 10 years of his NFL career with the Rams.

Los Angeles had arguably the best true-talent roster in the NFL last season but lost in the NFC Championship Game to the Seattle Seahawks, who went on to win the Super Bowl. And this offseason, the Rams have added two of the greatest players in NFL history to their defensive line: Donald and defensive end Myles Garrett (acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Browns).

The Rams are loaded on offense with quarterback Matthew Stafford, running back Kyren Williams, and wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. That’s with Sean McVay, one of the top offensive minds in the sport, drawing up the plays.

So, the Garrett and Donald adds take the Rams to a juggernaut level on paper.

Here’s a look at how the NFL world is reacting to the Donald news:

Rams front

DE: Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske

DT: Aaron Donald, Poona Ford

EDGE: Myles Garrett, Byron Young

That will work

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 30, 2026

No surprise. If Donald is even like 75% of his former self this Rams DL will be difficult to block. How do you use your blocking resources for both him and Garrett? Throw the ball quickly. https://t.co/tNN9K3dxMO

— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) August 30, 2026

Here’s why I’m not worried about Aaron Donald’s layoff: @AndrewWhitworth said Donald works every day of his life like he’s an undrafted free agent. If anyone can come back to dominance it’s him. https://t.co/tjzNestxbU

— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) August 30, 2026

Will Aaron Donald be Aaron Donald again? He’s 35 and hasn’t played in two years? Yes, he’s a freak. But that’s asking a lot. If they get 75-percent of the old Donald, that will be impressive.

— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) August 30, 2026

Here’s an inside look at the complex game plan the Rams will have for Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett: LINE UP AND GO

— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) August 30, 2026

Some of the names on the #Rams defense:

DE Myles Garrett
DT Aaron Donald
DT Kobie Turner
DT Braden Fiske
DT Poona Ford
DE Byron Young

LB Nate Landman
LB Omar Speights

CB Trent McDuffie
CB Jaylen Watson
S Quentin Lake
S Kam Curl

Not normal. https://t.co/god5YmEaUA

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 30, 2026

The Rams have 5/1 Super Bowl odds, according to DraftKings. No other team has better than 10/1 odds. They will get their season started against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday, Sept. 10.