Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Donald has not made a final decision on returning to the NFL, but "it certainly seems like it's trending in the right direction."
"My understanding is he wants to make sure he can go out and do it before he fully commits," Rapoport said. "That said, it clearly seems like it's heading in that direction."
What The Rams Are Saying
Head coach Sean McVay offered his most encouraging update yet on Donald's status this week, striking an optimistic tone while declining to set a firm timeline.
"Things are going in the right direction," McVay said. "We have some different things, which I totally understand. There are some conversations that we've had. We've loosely had some different timelines that are temporary. I want to keep those between us."
🚨🚨 Andrew Whitworth believes Aaron Donald is getting close to making an NFL comeback with the Los Angeles Rams.
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) August 3, 2026
Whitworth said Donald is evaluating how his body responds to football-specific preparation and whether he is comfortable accepting the physical risks and family…
McVay made clear nothing will be finalized during training camp.
"There won't be any decision and anything in terms of Aaron's situation while we're here," McVay said. "That's already been set out when we've talked for the last couple of weeks. I think once we get back to Woodland Hills, we'll have a better idea of what that timeline looks like."
Why Now
Donald retired in March 2024 after a decade with the Los Angeles Rams, walking away as a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, an eight-time first-team All-Pro, and a Super Bowl LVI champion with 111 career sacks.
The comeback speculation traces back to Los Angeles' trade for Myles Garrett, which reshaped the Rams' championship timeline and reportedly caught Donald's attention.
This is must see for Rams fans
— Jackson Durham (@JDurham_FBall) August 2, 2026
CBS Sports’ Bryant McFadden played a game with Sean McVay asking him to give facial expressions in response to Aaron Donald related questions
It’s such a done deal 😂 pic.twitter.com/OZsdlmHK7h
He told ESPN's Pat McAfee and NFL insider Jordan Schultz back in June that he was intrigued by the idea of suiting up alongside Garrett. Video soon surfaced of him working out at the Rams facility, fueling speculation that has only intensified since.
Per The Ringer, McVay has told Donald the team is ready to welcome him back into the locker room and the defensive line rotation, and those close to the organization describe his official unretirement as more a matter of when than if.
What's Left
Donald, 35, has stayed in exceptional shape since retiring, and the Rams are described as exercising patience early in camp while still operating without him on the field.
There is also urgency working in the other direction. Los Angeles has built a veteran-laden, win-now roster around its Super Bowl aspirations, and adding a healthy version of one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history would immediately raise the ceiling of an already-loaded front.
A resolution isn't expected until the Rams return to their Woodland Hills facility after camp wraps, but for a situation that has lingered all summer, the tone out of both sides has never sounded more encouraging.
