‘We back’: Aaron Donald returns to the Rams and a defense now loaded with Myles Garrett and others

Aaron Donald has ended his retirement to rejoin the Los Angeles Rams, announcing the move on Instagram with the message "We back." The 35-year-old defensive lineman, who spent 10 seasons with the Rams before stepping away in 2024 and 2025, joins a defence that already added two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett in June, giving the team a combined five Defensive Player of the Year awards between the pair and the prospect of one of the most formidable defensive lines in NFL history.

Donald has agreed a one-year deal worth $20 million, which could rise to $30 million for 2026, and has completed two official tryouts after weeks of twice-daily training and dietary changes to prepare for his comeback. He aims to return to the form that earned him three Defensive Player of the Year awards and nine All-Pro selections, while helping the Rams win the Super Bowl after their NFC Championship defeat to the Seattle Seahawks last season. The Rams have also strengthened their secondary this offseason by signing cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson from the Kansas City Chiefs, and still have reigning NFL MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford leading the offence.