Ever since the Los Angeles Rams traded for Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns, speculation around Rams legend Aaron Donald returning has intensified. However, the latest report has good news for other NFL teams.

“Aaron Donald is essentially trying to get himself ready for the upcoming season,” said ESPN insider Adam Schefter on the Adam Schefter podcast. “I don’t think, and it doesn’t sound like, we’re gonna get an immediate answer, or an immediate signing, of Aaron Donald.”

It came as a shock to see Donald announce his retirement in March 2024, especially after a season where he was selected for the Pro Bowl and named First-Team All-Pro.

However, with Aaron Donald’s athleticism and physical condition throughout his career, the prospect of pairing him with Myles Garrett is terrifying for NFL teams. Still, don’t expect an answer on his return anytime soon.

“He is too busy trying to get himself back into football shape to try to regain some of the form he might’ve lost in two years away from football,” Schefter said on the Adam Schefter podcast. “He’s not gonna come back until he feels like he’s ready to be Aaron Donald again.”

Donald, who was drafted 13th overall in 2014, is a 10-time Pro Bowler, an eight-time All-Pro, and a three-time Defensive Player of the Year.

Pairing him with Garrett, who himself is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, would create the most decorated defensive tandem in NFL history.

While it would be amazing to see the duo at work, there are, however, some contractual complications regarding his return.

Donald retired with a year and $30 million of the deal still left. If the Rams do indeed want to bring him back, they will have to sort that issue out as well. And it might not be as simple as many think.

Aaron Donald’s contract might be the biggest problem in a potential return 

Many would think that for a player having to come out of retirement, the main issue they face might be their physical condition.

However, that is most certainly not the case for Aaron Donald, as he is one of the strongest and most athletic defensive tackles in NFL history. The biggest problem with a potential return could be his contract situation, according to one NFL analyst.

“The Rams have paid $33.5 million in dead money to Donald, all of that was a signing bonus that was left over,” wrote Blaine Grisak of Sports Illustrated. “If Donald were to return, there are no guarantees left on his contract because they’ve all been paid out. It’s highly unlikely that Donald plays on a contract without any guarantees.”

With the Rams lacking $30 million in cap space, the front office would have to look into restructuring the contracts of stars like Davante Adams to accommodate Donald.

Meanwhile, it is also highly unlikely for him to return on a one-year $8 million deal either.

“The ideal scenario would be for the Rams to pay Donald $8 million this year and then add void years to the deal that would be paid out later,” added Grisak. “That would allow the Rams to continue as is and not have to touch any other contracts.”

However, Grisak also mentioned that the Rams are most likely to get Donald around the $15 million range and add void years.

What would you do to bring back Donald, and what do you think the Rams should do? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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Written by

Dhruv Vishnu Nair

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore