Short answer: yes, I believe Aaron Donald will return to the NFL.
I have always believed Donald retired too early. In only 10 NFL seasons, he put together a career most defensive players couldn’t replicate in 20.
Donald retired as a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Super Bowl champion, eight-time First-Team All-Pro and 10-time Pro Bowler. He is, without a doubt in my mind, the greatest defensive tackle of all time, and you can easily make the argument that he is the greatest defensive player to ever step onto a football field.
And now, two years after his retirement, I believe there is a legitimate reason for him to come back.
First, look at the man.
Donald has maintained an insane physique since retiring and clearly still has the work ethic that allowed him to dominate the NFL for a decade. People will point to him being 35 years old, but I don’t care if he’s 35 or 45.
That’s Aaron Donald.
He is one of the greatest game-wreckers the NFL has ever seen. Make the mistake of consistently single-blocking him and he can ruin your entire offensive game plan.
But the biggest reason I think a comeback makes sense is something Donald rarely had during his prime:
Another defensive player whom offensive coordinators have to fear just as much as him.
The Rams now have Myles Garrett.
Yes, Donald played alongside Von Miller during the Rams’ Super Bowl run, and that duo helped deliver a championship. But Miller was already on the back end of his prime. Garrett is a different situation.
Imagine preparing an offensive line to deal with Myles Garrett coming off the edge while Aaron Donald is lined up inside.
Who are you doubling?
For most of Donald’s career, the answer was obvious: double Aaron Donald and live with somebody else trying to beat you.
You can’t comfortably do that anymore.
If you dedicate extra protection to Donald, you’re potentially leaving Garrett with a favorable matchup. Slide everything toward Garrett and you’ve just given arguably the greatest defensive tackle ever exactly what he spent his career begging offenses to give him: a one-on-one.
Good luck.
And Donald wouldn’t need to return and play nearly every defensive snap. With a loaded defensive front around him, the Rams could manage his workload and keep him fresh for the situations where he matters most.
Third-and-long.
Two-minute drills.
Fourth quarter.
Playoffs.
Donald wouldn’t have to be the entire defense anymore. He could simply be the final piece of what could become a terrifying pass rush.
Most importantly, there would actually be something worth coming back for.
The Rams have a legitimate opportunity to contend for another Super Bowl. With a potent offense on one side and a potentially dominant pass rush on the other, Donald wouldn’t be returning just to add another season to his résumé.
He’d be returning with a chance to win ring No. 2.
His legacy doesn’t need it. Donald could never play another snap and he’d still walk into Canton the moment he’s eligible. There is nothing left for him to prove.
But adding another championship while extending an already ridiculous résumé?
Why not?
Personally, I hope it happens. Great players are a pleasure to watch, and football is simply more entertaining when players like Aaron Donald are on the field.
We’ve already seen the ending to Aaron Donald’s career once.
I have a feeling we’re going to get one more chapter.
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