The Los Angeles Rams might be about to unleash the most fearsome defensive duo in NFL history.
The Rams are already early Super Bowl favorites, and this claim will only be boosted if Aaron Donald comes out of retirement.
The 35-year-old is mulling the idea of returning to the league and donning the blue and white again in 2026.
According to TMZ, the NFL legend spent Friday at the Rams practice field and went through drills for over an hour.
Questions surrounding his return have only intensified since Los Angeles pulled off the stunning acquisition of Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns.
“I believe it’s 80/20 he comes back. Third down is going to be a headache against the Rams,” The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen tweeted.
Donald is considered to be the greatest defender of his generation.
He won Defensive Player of the Year three times, was an eight-time first team All-Pro, and was instrumental in the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI win over the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022.
Donald abruptly retried from the league at the conclusion of the 2024 season, citing a lack of passion for the sport, but has kept his physical powers in peak condition ever since.
This is also not the first time Donald has threatened to un-retire.
Back when Micah Parsons future with the Dallas Cowboys was uncertain, Donald joked he would come out of retirement if the pass rusher was traded to the Rams.
Parsons ultimately found himself traded to the Green Bay Packers.
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NFC West quarterbacks shaking in their boots
The opportunity to share a field with Garrett might just be too good of an opportunity to pass on.
Garrett is coming off a historic season in Cleveland, where he set the all-time NFL single season sack record with 23, winning his second NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
The 30-year-old’s presence on the field is enough to get quarterbacks shaking, add Donald and it is hard to see much hope for opposing passers.
The NFC West is considered to be one of the strongest divisions in the NFL, with the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals joining the Rams.
For Super Bowl LX champion Sam Darnold and Brock Purdy , the prospect of facing Garrett twice in the regular season must be daunting.
Bringing back a rested Donald to anchor the interior while Garrett attacks the edge would turn a standard defense into an nightmare for opposing coordinators.
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Rams training camp kicks off on July 25 and Donald would likely want a full preseason to get back in gameday shape.
Whether the future Hall of Famer decides to officially dust off his cleats for one final ride or remain happily retired, Los Angeles has already constructed a roster designed for a deep January run.
However, if Donald does choose to sign on the dotted line, the rest of the NFL could be playing for second place.
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