The blockbuster trade that brought Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams has done more than reshape the defensive landscape. It has Aaron Donald seriously weighing a return to the team he led for a decade.
Donald retired in early 2024 after 10 seasons. At 35, he has stayed away for two full years. Yet the moment Garrett’s name hit the wire in a deal that sent Jared Verse and multiple high draft picks to Cleveland, the former Defensive Player of the Year started texting back.
Pat McAfee revealed on his show last week that he reached out directly. Donald’s response was telling.
“I reached out to @AaronDonald97 this morning,” McAfee said. “According to source(s) it for sure got him thinking. He said he’s 35 and he’s gotta see if that fire can light back up. Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett playing together with the Rams would be INSANE.”
The Trade That Changed the Equation
The Rams moved aggressively on June 1. They acquired the reigning AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year and sent edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick to the Browns. Garrett waived his no-trade clause to make it happen.
Los Angeles clearly believes it is in win-now mode alongside quarterback Matthew Stafford. Adding Garrett instantly upgraded the pass rush. The unexpected side effect was reigniting interest from the greatest interior lineman of his generation.
Donald’s Own Words Spark Fresh Hope
Donald did not issue a long statement. He did not hold a press conference. He simply replied to a text from one of the biggest voices in sports media. That short exchange has kept the rumor mill spinning at full speed across Southern California.
McAfee made it clear Donald is not rushing any decision. The 35-year-old wants to feel the competitive fire again before committing to the daily grind of an NFL season. The presence of Garrett and the Rams’ current roster construction appears to be the spark.
Garrett Wants the Conversation to Happen
Myles Garrett has not spoken with Donald yet. He made that plain in comments reported by NBC Sports. Still, the excitement in his voice was obvious.
“We haven’t talked yet, but definitely expect to talk soon,” Garrett said. “I don’t know what his plans are and I won’t pretend to know, but a lot of people are excited and thrilled about the possibility of him coming back.”
Garrett understands what pairing with Donald would mean. The two have never shared a huddle. They have terrorized quarterbacks from opposite sides of the line for years. Now they could do it wearing the same colors.
Quentin Lake Makes the Locker Room Case
Rams safety Quentin Lake did not wait for formal channels. He went straight to the source with a personal message that quickly spread.
“I know he’s been talking about there’s certain players that if we were to get he wouldn’t want to come back,” Lake said. “Hey Aaron, you know, if you’re listening to this, man, we are more than glad to have you. You’d be a great addition.”
The message landed with weight. Lake has been a steady presence in the secondary and a respected voice in the locker room. His direct appeal showed how badly current players want the veteran back in the fold.
What a Donald-Garrett Front Could Actually Look Like
Imagine the chess match offensive coordinators would face. Garrett’s explosive first step and long arms on the edge. Donald’s unmatched get-off and power from the interior. Quarterbacks would have almost no safe place to step up or escape.
The Rams already invested heavily in the defensive line. Adding a healthy, motivated Donald would not just add talent. It would change the math on every passing down. Opposing lines would have to double-team both stars on obvious passing situations, creating one-on-one wins elsewhere.
Head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead have both spoken positively about the possibility in recent days. They know Donald’s familiarity with the system and the building would shorten any ramp-up period dramatically.
The Human Element Behind the Buzz
Donald has been out of football long enough to enjoy family life and step away from the brutality of the position. Coming back at 35 is no small decision. It requires re-entering the weight room grind, the film study, and the physical toll of training camp.
Yet the text he sent McAfee revealed something simple. The fire is not completely out. The chance to play alongside Garrett, in a building he knows, with coaches he trusts, and with a realistic shot at another Super Bowl run has made him pause.
Rams fans have felt the same pull. Social media lit up the moment McAfee shared the exchange. The vision of Garrett and Donald collapsing pockets together at SoFi Stadium is too vivid to ignore.
Where Things Stand Right Now
Nothing is decided. Donald has not committed to anything beyond keeping an open mind. The Rams have not made a formal offer or restructured any cap space around a potential return.
What exists today is genuine momentum and mutual respect. Garrett wants the conversation. Lake spoke for the locker room. McAfee confirmed Donald is at least listening.
For a franchise that just swung one of the biggest trades of the offseason, the possibility of landing Aaron Donald too feels almost too good to be true. But in the NFL, sometimes the biggest moves create the conditions for the next one.
The next few weeks will tell us how serious this really gets. Right now, the possibility alone has the entire league paying attention.