Rams fans will understand better than anyone if Aaron Donald declines an encore

The Los Angeles Rams have reloaded the roster to compete for the Lombardi Trophy in 2026. And with their season kicking off with the NFL's first-ever Australia match, it would be an international marketing coup to feature Aaron Donald in the maiden journey of gridironing Down Under.

Is that enough to lure the Legendary One out of retirement? As much as saying so will pain Horns fans worldwide, the most rational answer is no.

Rams executives and coaches would love to welcome Donald back. He is nearly a demigod in league lore. He arrived every offseason in game-day shape. He held himself and his teammates to the highest level of preparation and preparedness. He never failed to seize game-changing moments in LA's favor. AD was one of a kind.

He may choose to leave his legacy at that. He stepped away from the game of his own volition, not because his body couldn't take it or because his level of play fell off. Donald retired an All-Pro First Teamer in 2023. He decided he was done.

With that in mind, here are three compelling reasons why his hoped-for unretirement may not be coming. Better than anyone else, Rams fans will understand.

Staying retired makes perfect sense for Donald

1. He has nothing to prove

Donald left the NFL on his terms. He has nothing left to prove. The guy is one of three players to win Defensive Player of the Year three times. He never failed to make the Pro Bowl and has eight All-Pro First Team selections. He was a weight-bearing pillar on a Super Bowl squad. Donald is a lock for the Hall of Fame.

What else is there?

Fans love the idea of Donald unretiring because, well, it's Aaron Donald. The NFL would love his return, too, because it would instantly spike ticket and merchandise sales. But what would it accomplish for Donald and his family? Only he can answer that.

2. The Rams may want AD, but do they need him?

Adding Donald to this defense would be incredibly exciting. Fans love the concept. At the same time, the Rams restocked the roster in the belief they would pursue success without him. Rumors of a possible return only gained steam after Myles Garrett's arrival.

Defensive coordinator Chris Shula has been tasked with turning water into wine for two seasons. While other teams spent lavishly, Shula was forced to field an NFL defense on a shoestring budget. That will all change this season. Between extending Trent McDuffie and Kam Curl, signing Jaylen Watson, and trading for Garrett, the Rams shelled out $415 million in new contracts (while somehow keeping immediate cap hits low).

Donald's return would be thrilling. It would be irresistible football. It would be so much fun. But it isn't necessary.

3. The pass rush has enough 'as is'

When Eric Weddle broke his two-year retirement in 2021, the Rams had just lost both starting safeties to injury, and the playoffs were on the doorstep. They brought in Weddle to help fill the void left by the sidelined Jordan Fuller and Taylor Rapp. And he delivered.

There is no such desperation in this case. The team just inserted this generation's top pass rusher into a defense that was already quite capable of generating pressure.

The pass rush may be enough 'as is'.

None of this is to say that Donald won't return. If it does happen, it will likely be precisely timed for a Super Bowl push, right before the end of the regular season. There is, too, always the dreaded possibility of an injury to a significant contributor.

But if Donald decides to remain retired, there is a laundry list of reasons why doing so would be perfectly understandable.

As always, thanks for reading.

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