Aaron Donald returns to Los Angeles Rams on one-year deal
14 sources • 3 min read • Latest: Aug 31, 2026, 12:55 PM
Last updated Aug 31, 2026
Three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald is ending his two-year retirement to rejoin the Los Angeles Rams for the 2026 season. Donald agreed to a one-year contract worth $20 million, with incentives that could increase the value to $30 million. The 35-year-old veteran last played during the 2023 campaign and spent the last two months training before committing to a return. His decision follows the team’s acquisition of fellow multi-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. The two stars will now anchor a defensive front that also includes Byron Young, Trent McDuffie, and Jaylen Watson. The team seeks to capture a championship during the upcoming season, which concludes with a Super Bowl held at their home venue, SoFi Stadium.
- •Aaron Donald signed a one-year contract worth $20 million with incentives reaching $30 million.
- •The 35-year-old defensive tackle returns to the Rams after two seasons of retirement.
- •Donald joins a defensive lineup featuring Myles Garrett, Byron Young, Trent McDuffie, and Jaylen Watson.
- •The Rams host the upcoming Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles this February.
- •Donald holds a career total of 111 sacks and 260 quarterback hits across 10 NFL seasons.
- 12:55 PMYahoo Sports — Aaron Donald’s return gives the Rams a defensive front nobody has assembled before
- 9:39 PMYahoo Sports — Donald comes out of retirement to rejoin Rams
- 9:39 PMBBC Sport — Donald comes out of retirement to rejoin Rams
- 9:13 PMESPN — Star DT Donald unretires to rejoin loaded Rams
- 8:42 PMThe Guardian Sport — All-time great Aaron Donald comes out of retirement to rejoin stacked LA Rams
- 8:41 PMYahoo Sports — Aaron Donald: I'm ready to come back to try and do something special
- 8:28 PMYahoo Sports — Aaron Donald Comes Out of Retirement to Sign With Rams
- 8:22 PMYahoo Sports — Aaron Donald coming out of retirement, returning to Rams
"Los Angeles were already Super Bowl favorites Defensive tackle was 10-time Pro Bowler with Rams 35-year-old aiming to win second Super Bowl in LA Aaron Donald, one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history, is coming out of retirement to rejoin his only professional team, the Los Angeles Rams. During a 10-season career with the Rams, who drafted him with the 13th overall pick in 2014, Donald was a three-time defensive player of the year and an eight-time first team All-Pro. He won a Super Bowl with the Rams at the end of the 2021 season before announcing his retirement in March 2024 at the age of 32. Continue reading...
"The Los Angeles Rams announced on Sunday that Aaron Donald is coming out of retirement. He agreed to a one-year deal worth $20 million that can rise to $30 million through playoff incentives, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Donald confirmed it himself in a video titled “The Return,” borrowing Michael […] The post Aaron Donald’s return gives the Rams a defensive front nobody has assembled before appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
"Aaron Donald has returned to the Los Angeles Rams, ending his retirement after 2 1/2 years to join Myles Garrett on their defensive line. The Rams announced the 35-year-old Donald's decision Sunday following several weeks of discussion, preparation and intensive workouts for the star defensive lineman. Donald became one of the greatest defensive players of his era during his first 10 seasons spent entirely with the Rams in St. Louis and Los Angeles.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 12:55 PMAaron Donald’s return gives the Rams a defensive front nobody has assembled before
The Los Angeles Rams announced on Sunday that Aaron Donald is coming out of retirement. He agreed to a one-year deal worth $20 million that can rise to $30 million through playoff incentives, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Donald confirmed it himself in a video titled “The Return,” borrowing Michael […] The post Aaron Donald’s return gives the Rams a defensive front nobody has assembled before appeared first on Gridiron Heroics.
- Yahoo SportsAug 30, 2026, 9:39 PMDonald comes out of retirement to rejoin Rams
Aaron Donald, one of the NFL's greatest defensive players, has come out of retirement to rejoin his former side Los Angeles Rams.
- BBC SportAug 30, 2026, 9:39 PMDonald comes out of retirement to rejoin Rams
Aaron Donald, one of the NFL's greatest defensive players, has come out of retirement to rejoin his former side Los Angeles Rams.
- ESPNAug 30, 2026, 9:13 PMStar DT Donald unretires to rejoin loaded Rams
Star defensive tackle Aaron Donald is coming out of retirement to try to help the Rams win another Super Bowl. He agreed to a one-year, $20 million deal, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
- The Guardian SportAug 30, 2026, 8:42 PMAll-time great Aaron Donald comes out of retirement to rejoin stacked LA Rams
Los Angeles were already Super Bowl favorites Defensive tackle was 10-time Pro Bowler with Rams 35-year-old aiming to win second Super Bowl in LA Aaron Donald, one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history, is coming out of retirement to rejoin his only professional team, the Los Angeles Rams. During a 10-season career with the Rams, who drafted him with the 13th overall pick in 2014, Donald was a three-time defensive player of the year and an eight-time first team All-Pro. He won a Super Bowl with the Rams at the end of the 2021 season before announcing his retirement in March 2024 at the age of 32. Continue reading...
- Yahoo SportsAug 30, 2026, 8:41 PMAaron Donald: I'm ready to come back to try and do something special
Aaron Donald has made it official, coming out of retirement after two seasons off to play for the Rams in 2026.
- Yahoo SportsAug 30, 2026, 8:28 PMAaron Donald Comes Out of Retirement to Sign With Rams
Former Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald officially came out of retirement to sign with the team on a one-year deal Sunday. The post Aaron Donald Comes Out of Retirement to Sign With Rams appeared first on LA Sports Report.
- Yahoo SportsAug 30, 2026, 8:22 PMAaron Donald coming out of retirement, returning to Rams
The Rams' defense added another Hall of Fame piece as Aaron Donald is coming out of retirement.
- Yahoo SportsAug 30, 2026, 8:21 PMAaron Donald ends his 2 1/2-year retirement and returns to the Los Angeles Rams
Aaron Donald has returned to the Los Angeles Rams, ending his retirement after 2 1/2 years to join Myles Garrett on their defensive line. The Rams announced the 35-year-old Donald's decision Sunday following several weeks of discussion, preparation and intensive workouts for the star defensive lineman. Donald became one of the greatest defensive players of his era during his first 10 seasons spent entirely with the Rams in St. Louis and Los Angeles.
- Yahoo SportsAug 30, 2026, 8:10 PMAaron Donald comes out of retirement to play for Rams
Donald has agreed to a one-year, $20 million deal that can escalate to $30 million.
- Yahoo SportsAug 30, 2026, 8:04 PMAaron Donald is coming out of retirement to play for the Rams
Aaron Donald has decided to end his two-year retirement and return to the field, joining the Rams for the 2026 season.
- Sky Sports—Donald ends retirement to make dramatic Rams return
Aaron Donald has officially come out of retirement and will return for the Los Angeles Rams this season.
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