Sean McVay isn’t shutting the door on Aaron Donald’s comeback. In fact, the Rams coach made it clear the possibility is still very much alive as training camp nears and the speculation around Donald’s future keeps building.
Donald is unlikely to be with the team when camp opens on July 25, but that doesn’t mean the story ends there. The former Rams star was recently spotted working out at the team facility, and the expectation is that he’ll keep training on his own while monitoring how his body responds. If that process goes well, and if the motivation that drove him two years ago is still there, a return wouldn’t be a shock.
McVay addressed the situation in an interview with NFL reporter Jason La Canfora and said Donald is still weighing everything.
“He is thinking about that (returning) and he’s going to go through his process,” said McVay. “One thing about Aaron Donald - what he does, he does full speed ahead. He knows what it looks like and feels like.”
That’s where things stand for now: interest, movement, but no decision. There’s no hard timetable on when Donald might make up his mind, and the coming weeks are expected to matter most as he continues his workout routine and checks how his body handles the grind.
Donald retired after the 2023 season and has been away from the league for two years. Even at less than full strength, he’d still be a major presence. But he’d also be 35 and two years removed from game action, which is part of why this isn’t a simple yes-or-no call.
McVay said Donald’s first job is to see whether he can still be the player he’s always been.
"What he needs to be able to do is put himself through his regimen and his routine and see, ‘Am I going to be the player who can add value to the team and be the guy that I’ve been,” said McVay. “He’s going to do that and if he feels like he can, then let’s figure out a way to make that work and make him a part of it, and if not, then he doesn’t owe us anything.”
If Donald does decide to come back, the football question is only part of the equation. The Rams would also have to sort out what kind of role he’d play on defense and how the contract would work. Donald walked away from $30 million when he retired after the 2023 season, and while the Rams have already paid out his guarantees, they would still owe him $30 million if he returned.
That figure makes a full payout unlikely, especially with the Rams working under salary cap constraints. Still, if Donald wants back in, the expectation is that the team would find a way to make it work in a form that fits both sides.
McVay made it clear the Rams aren’t going to push him either way. The decision is Donald’s.
"I want him to go through that process and be able to make his decision, and if he is feeling good, we are certainly excited over here about it," said McVay.
For now, that’s the story: Donald is considering it, McVay is leaving the door open, and the next few weeks could tell the tale.
In Other News...
Rams Linked To Proven WR Upgrade As One Depth Concern Lingers
The Rams have been mentioned as a logical place to look if they want to add another layer to their receiver room, with Sean McVays offense seen as the kind of setup that could make a versatile playmaker fit quickly. The appeal is straightforward: Los Angeles already has star power at the top of the depth chart, but there is still a need for more reliable options behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
Jordan Whittington, Xavier Smith and Konata Mumpfield are the names currently waiting in line for bigger roles, and that is where the conversation starts to feel real for the Rams. A proven veteran with a track record of impact would change the shape of the room in a hurry, even if no move has been made and no agreement is in place yet. [Read more 🡒]
Rams Suddenly Have A New Twist In Their Stafford Insurance Debate
The Rams have spent the offseason trying to sort out life behind Matthew Stafford, and the picture still looks unsettled. They drafted Ty Simpson and have Stetson Bennett in the mix for the backup job, but the conversation around that spot has only grown more complicated as the team looks for a quarterback who can provide real insurance if Stafford misses time.
Jimmy Garoppolo is now part of that discussion, which gives Los Angeles a familiar veteran name to weigh against its younger options. For a team trying to balance upside, development and reliability, the backup quarterback spot has become one of the more interesting decisions left on the board, even if the final answer is still not clear. [Read more 🡒]
George Kittle Just Put Rams Fans On Alert For Week 1
George Kittles latest update is the kind of thing Rams fans will notice immediately, even if it came in a podcast conversation rather than a formal injury report. The 49ers tight end is working his way back from the torn Achilles tendon he suffered in January, and he has been ahead of schedule in rehab, which has put his availability for the season opener back into the conversation.
For Los Angeles, the bigger issue is not just whether Kittle can get on the field in Week 1, but how much San Francisco is willing to ask of him that early in the year. Kittle has made it clear he is not looking to force anything if it would create a long-term problem, and with the opener set for Australia, the Rams will be watching closely to see how aggressive the 49ers decide to be with one of their most important weapons. [Read more 🡒]