RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Yahoo Sports — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 3 sources
There was something humorous about the NFL's transaction wire including that Aaron Donald, who might get his number retired by the Los Angeles Rams someday, having an official workout with the Rams .
Donald has been considering a comeback, and for those hoping to see it happen, Wednesday's news seemed pretty good. ESPN's Adam Schefter explained that Donald wanted to wear a helmet as he worked out, and because he used team equipment the Rams had to report it as a workout. Regardless of the circumstance, Donald was working out for the Rams. It's not hard to connect dots.
It's starting to seem like a foregone conclusion that Donald will be back at some point with the Rams, though it may be after training camp at the earliest before it becomes official . It has been speculated since the Rams traded for Myles Garrett at the beginning of June. The thought of Garrett and Donald, perhaps the two best defensive players of this era, playing together has been fun to consider.
But it's also hard to know what exactly the Rams are getting with Donald, if his comeback does become official.
Aaron Donald had a workout with the Rams on Wednesday as he contemplates a comeback. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Aaron Donald weighing a comeback
Donald could be the greatest defensive player ever. He has an argument, at least. He's one of three players to have three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards, along with Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt. Garrett has two.
The dream for the Rams is getting the prime version of Donald back in the lineup. He still had plenty left to give when he retired. He was first-team All-Pro in his final season. He joined a list of players like Jim Brown, Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson to retire when they were still among the best players in the NFL. Even if he wasn't the dominant force he was a couple seasons prior, he was still one of the best in the NFL during his last season.
Perhaps Donald can still be at that level. He'll presumably be in shape. Last year, then-Rams defnesive end Jared Verse worked out with Donald and couldn't keep up.
"I've worked out at multiple programs. I've worked out with hundreds of people, best athletes in the NFL, best athletes in college. That was the hardest workout I've ever done," Verse said, via NFL.com .
If the Rams could get close to the best version of Donald for even 20-30 snaps a game, he'd be a difference maker. It's hard to bet against an all-time great pulling that off. Donald's life will be easier than ever with Garrett alongside him, drawing the kind of attention Donald did through his career.
There's no guarantee we see that All-Pro version of Donald. But the history of what he's trying to do isn't all that bad.
Comparisons to Donald at his age
Donald recently turned 35 years old. There aren't many defensive linemen of that age in the NFL. Only four defensive linemen (Calais Campbell, Cameron Heyward, John Jenkins and Cameron Jordan) started a game at age 35 or older last season, according to Stathead .
The good news is there were some good seasons among those aging linemen. Jordan had 10.5 sacks for the Saints. Campbell has had at least 5.5 sacks in each of the last four seasons since he turned 36, including 6.5 last season with the Cardinals at age 39. Heyward's production dipped for the Steelers last season, but in his age-35 season of 2024 he had eight sacks and was a first-team All-Pro. No offense to any of them, but none of them are in Donald's class. Not many players through NFL history are.
It's possible for a defensive lineman in his mid- to late-30s to remain dominant. There have been 25 instances of a defensive lineman making a Pro Bowl at age 35 or older, including Reggie White doing it three times. White is an all-time great like Donald, and maybe that's a fair comparison for Donald. White won NFL Defensive Player of the Year at age 37.
But White also took a season off and then looked like a much lesser version of himself when he had a comeback with the Panthers. Donald has sat out two seasons. However, there have been players to come back after taking a season or two off — recently Rob Gronkowski took a season off and came back for two good seasons with the Buccaneers including a Super Bowl — but it's a challenge. Not everyone can do it, though at least there is some positive precedent.
Assuming Donald has continued his intense workouts to stay in shape and the Rams have a plan to not overwork him, history says he can come back and make an impact. He might not be at an NFL Defensive Player of the Year level again, but unicorns are unicorns for a reason. Donald has played on a different level than almost everyone else through his career, and most historical comps might not apply. Maybe he can be one of the best defensive linemen in football again, especially with offenses putting all their focus on one of his teammates for a change.
Either way, it seems like Donald is getting closer to coming back. And it's hard to imagine he doesn't make a very impressive Rams roster even better.
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.