The Los Angeles Rams are firmly in the Super Bowl conversation this season, thanks in large part to the resurgence of Matthew Stafford and a roster that's clicking on both sides of the ball. But as the playoff picture sharpens, one name keeps surfacing in conversations around the Rams' potential postseason ceiling: Aaron Donald.
Yes, that Aaron Donald - the future Hall of Famer who retired in March 2024 after a decade of dominance that redefined the defensive tackle position. And now, with the Rams surging, the idea of Donald making a late-season comeback is gaining traction among fans and even a few high-profile voices in the football world.
On the latest episode of the “New Heights” podcast, Jason Kelce didn’t hold back.
“Aaron Donald, bring him back,” Kelce said. “Bring AD back.
Go on a Super Bowl run, AD. Who else could go do it?”
Kelce’s call wasn’t just a throwaway line. It echoed a growing sentiment among those who know just how much of a difference Donald could make in a playoff run. His presence alone - both as a game-wrecker on the field and a leader in the locker room - would be monumental for a Rams team that’s already playing with confidence.
Stephen A. Smith added fuel to the fire on his own podcast, drawing a parallel to Brandon Graham’s recent return to the Eagles.
“Why do I keep fantasizing?” Smith asked.
“Just like Brandon Graham came out of retirement and returned back to the Philadelphia Eagles to help their defensive line. Why do I keep fantasizing about Aaron Donald coming out of retirement to join the Rams?”
Smith even admitted he’s not a Rams fan - but that hasn’t stopped him from imagining what a Donald return could mean for this team’s Super Bowl hopes.
It’s not hard to see why. Donald wasn’t just great - he was generational.
A three-time Defensive Player of the Year, ten-time Pro Bowler, and eight-time First-team All-Pro, Donald finished his career with 543 tackles, 176 tackles for loss, 260 quarterback hits, and 111 sacks in 154 games. He was the engine behind the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI win in 2021 and the kind of player who commanded double teams while still disrupting everything in his path.
But for all the outside noise, Donald himself has been clear: He’s at peace with his decision to step away.
During a visit to the Rams’ training facility in November, Donald addressed the speculation head-on.
“I’m fulfilled,” he said. “I’m happy with where I’m at in my life right now and what I’m doing.
Obviously, everything I do, I strive for greatness. I felt like I checked that off of football.”
“I love the game of football. I just don’t love playing the game of football anymore.”
That’s as definitive as it gets. Donald has nothing left to prove.
He walked away on his own terms, with a résumé that will land him in Canton the moment he’s eligible. And yet, the allure of a Super Bowl run - especially with a Rams team that looks poised to make noise - is enough to spark the imagination.
Could he change his mind? Sure, it’s sports - stranger things have happened. But Donald’s words carry weight, and so far, he’s given no indication that a comeback is in the cards.
Still, the fact that his name keeps coming up tells you everything you need to know about his legacy. Even in retirement, Aaron Donald remains the kind of player who could shift the balance of power in the NFL - and that’s not something you can say about many defensive linemen, past or present.
For now, the Rams will have to chase the Lombardi Trophy without him. But the fact that people are still dreaming of a Donald return? That speaks volumes.