Aaron Donald Ends Retirement, Returns to NFL
Former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald has ended his retirement.
Portland, OR, August 30, 2026 —
Aaron Donald, widely recognized as one of the most dominant defensive players in NFL history, has announced he is coming out of retirement. The former Los Angeles Rams star had previously retired from professional football in March 2023.
Donald, a seven-time First-Team All-Pro and a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, had a decorated career after being drafted by the Rams in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. His decision to retire last year surprised many in the league, given his continued elite performance.
The specifics of Donald’s return, including which team he may play for or the terms of any potential contract, were not immediately available. His retirement marked the end of a significant era for the Rams, a team he helped lead to a Super Bowl LVI victory in February 2022. During his tenure, Donald consistently disrupted opposing offenses, earning accolades for his pass-rushing ability and run-stopping prowess.
Details regarding the timeline or the exact nature of his decision to unretire were not provided in the initial announcement. The NFL landscape often sees significant player movements, and Donald’s potential reentry could have a considerable impact on any team he joins.
Story summarized from the original created by Mark Heim on www.oregonlive.com, see more information here.
