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Aaron Donald returns to Los Angeles Rams on one-year contract

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 30, 2026, 9:04 PM

Last updated Aug 30, 2026

Aaron Donald returns to Los Angeles Rams on one-year contract

Summary

Aaron Donald returns to the Los Angeles Rams for the 2026 season following a two-year hiatus. The 35-year-old defensive lineman agreed to a one-year deal worth $20 million, with additional incentives that could increase his total earnings to $30 million. This agreement marks a shift from his previous three-year, $95 million extension signed in 2022, which was voided upon his retirement. The renegotiated contract provides the Rams with additional salary cap flexibility as the team considers a new deal for wide receiver Puka Nacua. Donald joins Myles Garrett on the Los Angeles defensive line, which enters the season as a projected league leader in personnel. The veteran player has not appeared in an NFL game since the 2024 season.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Aaron Donald returns to the Rams on a one-year, $20 million base contract.
•Performance incentives could increase Donald's total 2026 earnings to $30 million.
•The deal provides salary cap relief for the Rams to pursue other roster moves.
•Donald teams up with Myles Garrett on the Los Angeles defensive front.
•This marks the first season of action for Donald since his 2024 retirement.

Latest Updates

9:04 PMYahoo Sports — How Aaron Donald's new contract compares to original deal: Rams legend takes far less money to rejoin team

What they're saying

"
Donald will fetch a decent payday for someone who hasn't played in two seasons. There's a case that he's surrendering money compared to the value of his last contract.
— Yahoo Sports

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