Aaron Donald brought out the simplest possible message to announce his return to the Los Angeles Rams: “I'm Back.”
That line carries obvious Michael Jordan echoes, and for good reason. Jordan used the same phrase when he came back to the Chicago Bulls less than two years after walking away from the NBA in 1993 to chase a baseball career.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 30, 2026
By then, he had already built a legendary résumé with six championships, five MVP trophies, and 10 scoring titles. The return announcement became part of the sport’s folklore.
Donald’s version lands with real weight too. He has not played since the 2023 season, but he comes back as one of the defining defensive players in NFL history.
Over a 10-year career that ended while he was still in his prime, Donald piled up three Defensive Player of the Year awards, making him one of only three players ever to do that. He also reached 10 Pro Bowls and won Super Bowl LVI.
At 35, Donald is still young enough to believe he has something left. And he steps into a Rams defense that has been reinforced in a big way, with reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett added in the offseason, plus Trent McDuffie coming over in a trade and Jaylen Watson arriving in free agency.
The offense is loaded too. Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams give Los Angeles a dangerous group on that side of the ball, and Stafford was last year’s MVP. Put it all together, and the Rams look like a team built to chase a title.
Donald may not be about to mirror Jordan by winning three championships after a retirement comeback. But the message is clear: he’s officially back.
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The Jets offer a plausible path because their inside linebacker depth is thin behind Demario Davis and Jamien Sherwood, which gives Reeder a chance to work his way toward the active roster. Rams followers know better than most how these situations can unfold, and they also know how quickly a practice-squad signing can turn into a real opportunity if injuries or performance open the door. [Read more 🡒]