Aaron Donald Facing Decision After Rams' Myles Garrett Trade
The Los Angeles Rams made another blockbuster move on Monday as the Cleveland Browns agreed to trade Myles Garrett in exchange for Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2029 third-round pick. Garrett, 30, is coming off a historic season in which he set the NFL's single-season sack record and further established his status as arguably football's best defensive player.
The acquisition comes despite the Rams already possessing one of the NFL's most promising young defensive fronts. Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner and Byron Young were expected to anchor the unit moving forward, while Verse had emerged as a foundational piece after recording 12 sacks and earning two Pro Bowl selections in his first two seasons.
The Rams now have the reigning Defensive Player of the Year under contract through 2030 and a defense capable of matching any contender in the NFC.
The move has also revived a familiar question around Los Angeles: could Aaron Donald return?
Donald retired in March 2024 after 10 seasons, all with the Rams. He stepped away as a Super Bowl champion, three-time Defensive Player of the Year and one of the most dominant defensive players in NFL history. At the time, Donald cited burnout and a desire to leave the game while still healthy.
The next great DL on the Rams
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 1, 2026
Imagine if Aaron Donald came out of retirement (via @AdamSchefter, @RapSheet, @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/qiun6omfvJ
Yet he has never completely shut down speculation about a return. Last August, when Micah Parsons' future with the Dallas Cowboys became a topic of discussion, Donald joked on Instagram that he might have to get back into football shape if the Rams somehow acquired the star pass rusher.
"That Dline would be unreal," Donald wrote.
Parsons responded enthusiastically, but the move never materialized. What the exchange did reveal, however, was that Donald remained engaged with what was happening around the organization and could be open to returning.
Now the Rams have landed Garrett, a player many would place in the same tier as Parsons, if not above it.
There has been no indication from Donald that he is planning a comeback, and he has not publicly commented on the Garrett trade. Still, the possibility has become a major talking point among fans. The thought of Donald and Garrett lining up on the same defensive front is enough to capture the imagination of anyone who follows the league.
Whether Donald returns or not, the Rams have already accomplished their primary objective. However, it remains to be seen if Donald, who is now 35 years old, would be open to the opportunity to win another Super Bowl ring in LA.
The Rams open the 2026 season against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night Football in Melbourne, Australia, the NFL's first regular-season game in the country. It will be the first opportunity for Garrett to take the field in a Rams uniform and for Los Angeles to showcase what could become one of the league's most feared defenses.
Related: Myles Garrett vs Jared Verse Stats: Analyzing the Blockbuster Browns-Rams Trade
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This story was originally published June 1, 2026 at 3:49 PM.