Aaron Donald’s Return and Mixed Reactions from Scouts

Summary

Aaron Donald ended his retirement and rejoined the Los Angeles Rams for the 2026 season, according to reports. Scouts and league sources shared mixed opinions on whether Donald will return to his previous level of play. Some believe he will have a significant impact, while others expect a decline due to age and time away from the game. Donald, 35, trained for 14 weeks before his return and is expected to play a rotational role initially. His last season in 2023 saw eight sacks, and he has not had a double-digit sack season since 2021.

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This one felt recognizable early.

Aaron Donald came back after two years, same as always.

Scouts said he’s still good, but not sure if he’s great.

He trained hard, but age and time away matter.

He’s a leader, but the clock is ticking.

Author: Evan Null

Donald’s Return and the NFL’s Aging Dilemma

Aaron Donald’s return to the Los Angeles Rams after two years of retirement has sparked a debate about his ability to perform at the same level as before. The 35-year-old defensive tackle, who won three Defensive Player of the Year awards, is expected to play a rotational role this season. His return has been met with mixed reactions from scouts and league sources, with some expressing confidence in his ability to make an impact and others questioning whether his age and time away from the game will affect his performance.

Donald’s training regimen included 14 weeks of intense workouts with personal trainers, and he reportedly felt ready to return. However, some scouts believe his playing time will be limited, with one league source estimating he may play 35 to 40% of defensive snaps. This is in contrast to his career average of at least 67% of defensive snaps per season. The concern is not just about his age, but also about the physical toll of being away from the game for so long.

Some scouts believe Donald can still be a difference maker, citing his work ethic and leadership. One longtime scout said, “If one man can do it – it’s AD.” However, others remain skeptical, pointing to the challenges of returning to the NFL after a long absence. The scout added, “It’s not easy to play at that age. It’s even harder being away for so long.”

Donald’s last season in 2023 saw him record eight sacks in 16 games, and his last double-digit sack season was in 2021 with 12.5 sacks. While he has the potential to return to that level, the question remains whether he can do so after two years away. His return to the Rams also adds to a defensive line that includes Myles Garrett, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, who had 23 sacks in 2024.

The debate over Donald’s return highlights a broader issue in the NFL: how aging stars perform after time away from the game. Von Miller, for example, played just 37% of defensive snaps last season at age 36. While Donald is still considered an all-time great, the challenge remains whether he can maintain his elite status after a long break.

Scouts’ Mixed Reactions to Donald’s Return

Scouts and league sources have given varied assessments of Aaron Donald’s return to the Los Angeles Rams. Some expressed confidence that he could still have a significant impact, while others were more cautious. One longtime scout said, “If one man can do it – it’s AD,” highlighting Donald’s work ethic and leadership. However, another scout noted that the physical demands of the game at 35, especially after a two-year absence, could be a challenge.

Donald’s return has also raised questions about how he will fit into the Rams’ defensive scheme. One scout suggested that he would be a “sub-package, plug-and-play guy” in the first two weeks of the season, before potentially becoming an every-down player. However, others believe his playing time will be limited due to his age and the wear and tear of the game.

Despite the concerns, Donald remains a respected figure in the league. One NFL scout said, “He’s an all-time great player. He’s probably still great. I wouldn’t bet against him.” However, the same scout added that he is not “immune to reality” and that the challenges of playing at 35 after a long break are real.

Donald’s return has also sparked discussions about the role of veteran players in the NFL. While some believe he can still be a difference maker, others are skeptical about whether he can maintain the same level of performance. The debate is not just about Donald, but about the broader issue of how aging stars perform after time away from the game.

The Rams’ decision to bring back Donald has been seen as a move to strengthen their defense, but it also comes with risks. With Myles Garrett on the team, the Rams have a formidable defensive line, but the question remains whether Donald can contribute at the level he once did. The coming season will be a test for both the player and the team.

The Physical Toll of Time Away from the Game

Aaron Donald’s return to the Los Angeles Rams after two years of retirement has raised concerns about the physical toll of time away from the game. At 35, Donald is entering the later stages of his career, and his absence from the NFL for two seasons has led to questions about his ability to perform at the same level as before. Some scouts believe he will still be a strong player, but others are skeptical about whether he can maintain the same level of production.

Donald trained for 14 weeks before his return, and he reportedly felt ready to play. However, one scout noted that “working out for a few years is different than playing football for a few years.” The challenge for Donald is not just about physical conditioning, but also about the mental and physical demands of the game. After a long absence, it can be difficult to regain the rhythm and intensity needed to perform at an elite level.

The concerns about Donald’s return are not unique to him. Many veteran players face similar challenges when returning to the NFL after time away. Von Miller, for example, played just 37% of defensive snaps last season at age 36, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining high-level performance at that stage in a player’s career. Donald’s situation is similar, and his return will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.

While Donald is still considered an all-time great, the question remains whether he can continue to be a dominant force on the field. His return to the Rams is a move that could have a significant impact on the team’s defense, but it also comes with uncertainty. The coming season will be a test of whether he can still make an impact at the highest level.

The debate over Donald’s return highlights a broader issue in the NFL: how aging stars perform after time away from the game. While some believe he can still be a difference maker, others are skeptical about whether he can maintain the same level of performance. The coming season will be a test for both the player and the team.

Donald’s Legacy and the Question of Relevance

Aaron Donald’s return to the Los Angeles Rams has reignited discussions about his legacy and whether he can still be a relevant force in the NFL. The 35-year-old defensive tackle, who won three Defensive Player of the Year awards, is expected to play a rotational role this season. However, the question remains whether he can maintain the same level of production that made him one of the league’s best players.

Scouts and league sources have given mixed assessments of Donald’s return. Some believe he can still be a difference maker, citing his work ethic and leadership. One longtime scout said, “If one man can do it – it’s AD.” However, others are more cautious, pointing to the challenges of playing at 35 after a two-year absence. The concern is not just about his age, but also about the physical toll of being away from the game for so long.

Donald’s last season in 2023 saw him record eight sacks in 16 games, and his last double-digit sack season was in 2021 with 12.5 sacks. While he has the potential to return to that level, the question remains whether he can do so after a long break. His return to the Rams also adds to a defensive line that includes Myles Garrett, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, who had 23 sacks in 2024.

Donald’s return is a move that could have a significant impact on the Rams’ defense, but it also comes with risks. With Myles Garrett on the team, the Rams have a formidable defensive line, but the question remains whether Donald can contribute at the level he once did. The coming season will be a test for both the player and the team.

The Debate Over Donald’s Impact and Future

Aaron Donald’s return to the Los Angeles Rams has sparked a debate about his potential impact and future in the NFL. At 35, the defensive tackle is entering the later stages of his career, and his two-year absence from the game has raised concerns about his ability to perform at the same level as before. While some scouts believe he can still make a difference, others are more cautious, citing the challenges of playing at that age after a long break.