L.A. Rams fans and TV executives are both smiling today about the same thing.
Aaron Donald, the all-world defensive tackle who led the Los Angeles to a Super Bowl victory in 2022, announced today that he will come out of retirement this season.
The team confirmed the news by sharing a letter on Rams letterhead addressed to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, ostensibly from Donald, which read simply, “Dear Commissioner Goodell: I’m Back.” It was signed by Donald.
DraftKings Sportsbook had the Rams as favorites to win the Super Bowl even before Donald’s announcement. The 2027 championship will be played on the Rams’ home turf at SoFi Stadium.
What’s more, a one-of-one defensive superstar returning to a team in the country’s second-largest media market is a boon to networks and streamers that carry NFL games.
The 35-year-old Donald retired prior to the 2024 season, but announced earlier this summer that he was considering a comeback, leading to a couple of workouts with the team in August under the supervision of head coach Sean McVay.
The Rams did not disclose details of his contract, but ESPN and the NFL Network both reported that it was a one-year, $20 million deal with playoff incentives that could raise the total value of the deal to $30 million.
Donald was one of the most dominant defensive lineman in NFL history during his 10 seasons with the Rams, recording 111 sacks, 24 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.
He is one of three players in NFL history to have won the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award three times — 2017, 2018 and 2020.
If Donald can even approach his previous level of play, his return could give the Rams a devastating pair of pass rushers. The team acquired reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett on June 1.
Garrett, 30, set the NFL’s single-season record for sacks last year with 23, and was voted the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year for the second time. He added a league-leading 33 tackles for loss.
According to ESPN, that makes L.A. the only team with two active players who won multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards.
The Rams’ Opening Night game this Thursday is against longtime NFC West rivals the San Francisco 49ers on Netflix. Donald could play, but no announcement has yet been made.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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