Full Breakdown
Rams Trade for Myles Garrett Sparks Aaron Donald Unretirement Speculation
6/4/2026, 1:10:44 AM
The Blockbuster Trade and Its Immediate Fallout
On June 1 2026 the Los Angeles Rams completed a trade with the Cleveland Browns, acquiring two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. In exchange the Rams sent edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick. Garrett, 30, entered the league as the No. 1 overall pick in 2017 and finished the 2025 season with an NFL-record 23 sacks. The move was presented as the final piece for a Super Bowl run, especially with the championship scheduled for SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Aaron Donald’s Retirement and Recent Signals
Aaron Donald announced his retirement on March 15 2024 after ten seasons (2014-2023) with the Rams. His career totals include 111 sacks, 543 tackles, ten Pro Bowls, eight First-Team All-Pro selections and three AP Defensive Player of the Year awards, capped by a Super Bowl LVI victory. At 35, Donald has posted workout videos on Instagram and, according to former teammate Michael Brockers, remains “ready so he doesn’t have to get ready.”
Key Voices on a Potential Return
Official statements – Head coach Sean McVay told reporters at Garrett’s introductory press conference that the Rams have “no question” about Donald’s interest and would “talk to Aaron and see what he’s saying.” He added that if Donald “dustes ‘em off at the age of 35, I bet you he could still do it at a pretty high clip.” General manager Les Snead said the best approach is to let Donald “continue working out… let him sleep on it,” noting that the team is “cool… it would be a unique story.”
Donald’s own messages – In a text to Pat McAfee, Donald wrote, “It for sure got me thinking,” referencing Garrett’s arrival. In a separate text to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, he said he is “flirting with the idea” and that a Super Bowl in SoFi is a “helluva opportunity” if he can “find the fire.”
Financial perspective – NFL insider Adam Schefter warned that the Rams “have spent all their money” on recent acquisitions, including Garrett’s four-year, $160 million deal, and that signing Donald would require creative cap management.
Financial and Roster Considerations
The Rams possess roughly $16.4 million in cap space. Donald’s contract, if re-activated, would carry a $30 million salary for 2026. Garrett’s deal is being restructured but remains a major cap commitment. Interior linemen Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner and Poona Ford already occupy the defensive tackle spots, meaning a Donald return would likely shift existing depth-chart roles.
Why a Donald-Garrett Duo Matters
Pairing two recent Defensive Player of the Year awardees would create a historically dominant interior-edge combination, potentially elevating the Rams’ defense to a top-10 unit in points allowed and sacks. The prospect of that duo playing in a Super Bowl hosted at the team’s home stadium adds a narrative incentive for both the organization and fans.
Criticism and Opposition
Schefter’s cap-space concerns constitute the primary opposition to a Donald comeback. Additionally, a May 2025 interview in which Donald said he “doesn’t miss it” and “doesn’t have the passion” to play again contrasts with his later texts, highlighting internal uncertainty.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Sources differ on Donald’s current motivation: earlier statements suggest a lack of desire, while recent texts indicate tentative interest. No formal contract terms have been disclosed, and the Rams have not confirmed a timeline for a decision.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Listen, if he’s interested, there is no qu–here’s what I’ll say: You talk to Aaron, and you see what he’s saying about that,” — Sean McVay, Rams head coach
- “It for sure got me thinking.” — Aaron Donald, text to Pat McAfee
- “I’m for sure flirting with the idea. Helluva an opportunity with the Super Bowl in SoFi this year. If I can find the fire, it’s a possibility.” — Aaron Donald, text to Jordan Schultz
- “I do think for the first time Aaron is like, 'Oh, wait a minute,'” — Les Snead, on *The Pat McAfee Show*
- “Y'all are hilarious.” — Erica Donald, post on X
What’s Next
The Rams’ training camp begins in early August, giving Donald roughly seven weeks to assess his condition and the team’s cap flexibility. Further statements from McVay, Snead or Donald are expected as the season approaches.
