Aaron Donald Tested A Potential Return With Rams With Workout At Their Facility

Aaron Donald took another step toward a potential NFL return on Wednesday, Aug. 5.

Donald officially worked out for the Los Angeles Rams, according to the NFL's official transaction wire.

Donald's workout was primarily "to see how he feels personally," according to ProFootballTalk's Myles Simmons. He wore a helmet during the session and used Rams equipment, which required the team to report it as an official workout, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

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Donald last played during the 2023 NFL season with the Rams. He originally called it quits following a 10-year career during which he racked up 111 sacks, eight All-Pro first-team nods and a Super Bowl 56 victory.

However, Donald has been rumored to be considering a return ahead of the 2026 NFL campaign. He had previously worked out at the Rams' facility, while coach Sean McVay has referenced the possibility of the 35-year-old's comeback on numerous occasions.

Most recently, McVay had told reporters on July 31 that the possibility of Donald returning to the Rams was "trending upwards."

Donald's workout alone does not guarantee he will return to the NFL. He still needs to officially file to rejoin the league, and if he does, the Rams may need to rework his contract to ensure the team remains compliant with the salary cap.

Despite those hurdles, Donald's official workout seems to indicate his interest in returning to the NFL is legitimate. And if he does come out of retirement to play next to the newly acquired Myles Garrett, the Rams would instantly sport one of the most feared pass-rushing combinations in NFL history.

Aaron Donald contract details

Donald retired with one year remaining on the three-year, $95 million extension he inked with the Rams during the 2022 NFL offseason. As a result, the Rams would owe Donald roughly $30 million in 2026 if he chooses to unretire and does not adjust his contract.

The Rams cannot afford to have Donald unretire at that price tag. Los Angeles currently has just under $15.3 million in cap space, per OverTheCap.com. That will leave Rams general manager Les Snead with a couple of ways to proceed if Donald does return to the field.

The first would be for the Rams to create additional cap space to fit the $30 million remaining on Donald's deal. That could be accomplished by trading players, releasing players or, most likely, restructuring the contracts of some of the team's highest-paid players.

That said, the easier – and, possibly, mutually beneficial – option would be to renegotiate Donald's contract. The Rams could offer him an extension that would defray his present-year cost while eventually paying him more than the $30 million he would be owed over the one remaining season on his contract.

How old is Aaron Donald?

Donald turned 35 in May. He last played in the NFL during his age-32 season and generated 53 tackles and eight sacks across 16 starts.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaron Donald tested a potential return with Rams with workout at their facility