The Los Angeles Rams landed a new superstar pass rusher in Myles Garrett, but could they possibly bring back Aaron Donald to form a terrifying duo?
The Rams made a seismic move when they acquired Garrett from the Cleveland Browns on Monday. That blockbuster has sparked speculation over whether Donald, who retired after the 2023 season, could consider a comeback.
ESPN's Pat McAfee claimed that Donald told him the trade "for sure got me thinking." Based on his social media, it doesn't seem like the 35-year-old would have to significantly ramp up his training regimen this summer.
Donald posted his latest workout video on Instagram on May 28. Fans may particularly take note of his song choice, "ain't done" by Blxst.
"Quick work session," Donald wrote with an emoji of a flexed bicep. "#ad99 #ready."
Could Donald consider comeback?
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Building on McAfee's report, ESPN continued to discuss the possibility of Donald returning on Tuesday's Get Up.
Adam Schefter doesn't see how the Rams can financially entice Donald to play again after acquiring Garrett and making Trent McDuffie the league's highest-paid cornerback. However, not everyone around the league sees their cap situation as a deal-breaker.
"Another team called and asked me yesterday, could the Rams sign Aaron Donald? And I said, 'They're out of money.' And he said, 'In this league, you can always find money.' And it reminded me of what the teams said when they were calling me in late March, when they said the Browns are trading Myles Garrett, and the Browns said, we're not trading Myles Garrett. Teams say the Rams might now make a run at Aaron Donald. 'We can't afford Aaron Donald.'
Even if it's unlikely, Schefter wouldn't rule out the possibility of Donald playing for the Rams again.
"I wouldn't say there's a zero percent chance of it happening," Schefter said. "I don't put a high degree of probability on it happening, but I'm not ready to just write it off and say, this is absolutely not going to happen."
Fellow ESPN insider Peter Schrager speculated that Donald could reconsider his early retirement since he's yet to strike it big as an actor. He noted that Donald has stayed in touch with Rams head coach Sean McVay.
"The dreams for Aaron Donald was to take a step away from football, and truly, they thought, or he thought, there was gonna be this Hollywood career of where he could be, like, The Rock or something in the superhero spectrum," Schrager said. "I don't know if that's happened, but he has remained in shape and football shape, and is still very much in contact with that team. The relationship that McVay has with Aaron Donald is really strong and talks often with Aaron Donald and his wife, Erica, and there is a very strong bond there still. I don't think it's that crazy of a communication after they bring in Myles Garrett."
