The Los Angeles Rams aren’t hiding how badly they want Aaron Donald back. Speaking at a team event on Thursday, July 23, Rams CEO Kevin Demoff said the organization will welcome the former defensive tackle back “with open arms” if he decides to return to football in 2026 — and made clear the decision belongs to Donald alone, according to USA Today.
Demoff wasn’t the only Rams executive to address the situation. COO Tony Pastoors also spoke about Donald at the same event, telling the crowd, “We want Aaron to go through Aaron’s process and whenever he’s ready, we’ll be ready,” according to USA Today. Pastoors added he’d “rather have Aaron Donald when we’re playing actual football games than in July,” signaling the front office isn’t trying to rush a decision.
Demoff didn’t hold back on Donald’s place in franchise history. “I think we all follow along like you,” Demoff said. “When Aaron Donald raises his hand and said he’s considering coming back … we’re fans as well. He’s one of the most decorated players in NFL history, in franchise history. We don’t have a ring or a Lombardi Trophy or banner if it’s not for Aaron Donald.”
“I think Sean (McVay) said it best yesterday: If Aaron wants to return we will wait with open arms, it is his decision, his choice. But there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t wake up refreshing social media, seeing if there’s a post or hoping there’s a text that says ‘You up?’ I think we would all love for Aaron to be here.”
Why the Speculation Keeps Building
The comeback talk didn’t come out of nowhere. It picked up steam last month after the Rams traded for edge rusher Myles Garrett, a move that instantly raised the ceiling on LA’s defense and got fans wondering whether Donald might want one more run alongside him. McVay has since confirmed there have been real conversations about it.
On the Daily Flock podcast this week, McVay said he’s “crossed paths” with Donald and that the two share a bond that goes well beyond football. “It’s family with us,” McVay said. “He’s done so much for me. I love the man he is.” McVay added that Donald “is thinking about this” and “he’s going to go through his process,” according to Bleacher Report.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter offered more detail on where things stand, saying Donald “is working his way back into football shape” and won’t commit “until he’s convinced he can be Aaron Donald,” according to Yardbarker. Schefter estimated it could be at least a couple of weeks before there’s clarity.
Donald Has Already Been Working Out at the Rams’ Facility
Donald gave fans a real reason to believe earlier this month. TMZ Sports first reported that Donald was spotted working out at the Rams’ practice facility in Woodland Hills on July 10, running ladder drills, medicine ball throws and agility work for roughly an hour. An eyewitness told TMZ he pushed himself “until he was clearly gassed.”
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler later cautioned against reading too much into the video by itself, clarifying that Donald “has not made a decision about his future” and that working out at the Rams facility has been something of a routine for him since retiring, according to Yahoo Sports. Still, Schefter later reported the session was more deliberate than a typical visit — Donald reportedly told the team he wanted to work out in pads specifically to gauge how his body responded.
What a Donald Return Would Mean for the Cap
Even if Donald decides he wants back in, the football decision is only half the equation. He retired after the 2023 season with three years still left on his contract, which left the Rams carrying roughly $30 million in dead money against the cap, a figure first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and confirmed by Over the Cap, according to Yahoo Sports.
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Seasons away from NFL | Two (retired after 2023 season) |
| Career Defensive Player of the Year awards | Three |
| Existing dead cap charge | Approximately $30 million |
| Rams’ available 2026 cap space | Roughly $18-19 million |
That dead money is mostly a cash-accounting issue rather than a straight cap hit, since the Rams already absorbed much of that charge when Donald initially retired. Any new deal would need to be structured around Los Angeles’ current cap space, which sits in the $18-19 million range for 2026.
No Deadline, No Pressure
The Rams aren’t treating training camp as a cutoff. McVay and the front office have repeatedly said the timeline is Donald’s to set, and the team’s real focus is having him available for a deep playoff push rather than Week 1. “The goal isn’t Week 1,” one recent report characterized the Rams’ thinking. “The Rams’ eyes are on a Super Bowl.”
For now, nothing is confirmed. Donald hasn’t made an announcement, and the Rams have stopped short of saying anything is close to official. But between the front office’s public comments, the facility workouts, and the arrival of Garrett, the pieces are lining up for one of the more compelling storylines of the Rams’ 2026 season — whenever Donald decides to make it official.
