Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay says he won’t put an “invisible deadline” on Aaron Donald to come out of retirement but added that he hopes the former star defensive tackle makes a decision “sooner than later.”
McVay shared those thoughts after the Rams’ preseason victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday night. The comments came as speculation continues to swirl around whether the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year will unretire and rejoin the team for the 2026 season.
Donald, 35, spent his entire 10-year career with the Rams franchise before announcing his retirement in March 2024. He finished with 111 sacks, 24 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries over 154 games. He earned eight first-team All-Pro selections and made the Pro Bowl in each of his 10 seasons.
The possibility of a comeback gained momentum in early June after the Rams acquired edge rusher Myles Garrett in a blockbuster trade. Donald has since been working to regain football shape and has participated in formal workouts with the team, including one on Aug. 5 that McVay described as outstanding.
McVay has emphasized giving Donald the space needed to reach clarity on the decision. He noted that Donald has put himself in a position to say yes or no and has earned the right to that clarity. Discussions between the two sides have remained tentative and behind the scenes.
NFL teams must reduce their rosters from 90 players to 53 by Aug. 30. McVay acknowledged the Rams have identified some loose internal dates they would like to hit. At the same time, he stressed he does not want to create unnecessary pressure on Donald in case of unforeseen circumstances.
McVay said he feels great about the Rams’ roster as it currently stands. He added that Donald would provide additional value if he chooses to return. The coach also pointed to Donald’s own benchmarks, such as stacking consecutive training days, as key factors in the evaluation process.
Donald’s potential return would pair him with Garrett on a defensive line already viewed as one of the league’s strongest. The Rams are widely regarded as Super Bowl contenders this season, with the title game scheduled for their home stadium at SoFi.
Throughout his career, Donald established himself as one of the most dominant interior defensive linemen in NFL history. He helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI following the 2021 season and consistently disrupted opposing offenses with a combination of power, quickness and technique.
McVay has maintained close contact with Donald since the retirement. The coach has repeatedly expressed respect for the process Donald is following and has avoided placing firm public timelines on a resolution.
The situation remains fluid as the preseason continues and the regular-season opener approaches. Donald has not made a public statement in recent days about his intentions.
Rams fans and league observers continue to monitor developments closely. A decision to return would mark a rare late-career comeback for a player who left the game while still performing at an elite level.
McVay’s latest remarks underscore the organization’s patient approach. The focus remains on allowing Donald the time required to determine whether he can meet the physical and mental demands of another NFL season.
