Rams GM Snead says Donald has 'real itch' to return for 2026

Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead has confirmed that retired defensive end Aaron Donald has expressed a genuine desire to return to the National Football League for the first time. Speaking to ESPN Los Angeles during training camp in late July, Snead noted that while Donald previously enjoyed his retirement, he now misses the game enough to consider playing again. The Rams are reportedly open to Donald’s return for the 2026 season, with potential discussions about him reuniting with fellow multiple-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.

Snead described the transition from professional football as a "cliff" where the next chapter can feel "foggy" for athletes. He highlighted that this marks the first time Donald has felt a genuine desire to return to play for "something meaningful," contrasting with previous periods where he enjoyed retirement and did not miss the game enough to return. "He says he’s missed it every now and then, but not enough to say, I want to come back," Snead said. "This is the first time that, you know what, there’s a real itch there."

The potential for Donald to return has drawn attention due to the possibility of him teaming up with Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. Both players are multiple-time Defensive Player of the Year winners, a combination Snead described as historically significant. "It’s almost like, how many times in a lifetime in like this universe thing where, OK, wait a minute, [you get] Myles Garrett, now Aaron Donald wants to come back," Snead said. "He happens to be still young enough to do it. Like, that doesn’t happen often."

Snead, who spoke during the Rams' training camp in late July, indicated that he would personally attend a game if Donald were to return, noting the rarity of such an event. He used a metaphorical comparison to suggest the spectacle would be worth watching, stating it would be like "watching on Netflix," rather than a literal statement about broadcasting rights. The general manager emphasized that seeing Donald play again would be "cool to see" from an institutional perspective, regardless of the outcome.

Despite the interest from the Rams' front office, Donald is reportedly taking his time with the decision. No formal negotiations or team changes have been confirmed, and it remains an open question whether the three-time Defensive Player of the Year will actually return to the NFL. The Rams have signalled their openness to his participation in the 2026 season, but the timeline for any final decision has not been detailed.