Inside Aaron Donald's NFL comeback timeline: Why Rams legend came out of retirement at age 35

One of the NFL's all-time greats makes a return to the field on Monday night.

Aaron Donald will officially be back with the Los Angeles Rams, suiting up on Sean McVay's defensive line years after choosing to step away from football in 2023.

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year's path back to the Rams stemmed from the team's offseason swing for Myles Garrett. Now, he'll have an opportunity to add to his future Hall of Fame legacy.

Here's a look inside Donald's timeline to return to the NFL from his retirement. 

MORE NFL WEEK 2:

• Why Caleb Williams' hamstring injury may doom Bears season
• Tyler Shough's controversial TD leads Saints to Ravens upset
• How Jets blew double-digit lead to Packers
• Inside Caleb Williams' recovery timeline for hamstring
• Which Week 2 upset loss comes with most cause for concern?

How old is Aaron Donald?

Donald is 35 years old, turning 36 on May 23, 2027.

He last played in the NFL when he was 32 years old, still one of the league's best defensive tackles.

When did Aaron Donald retire?

Donald announced his first NFL retirement on March 15, 2024. Around two months after the Rams' 2023 season ended, he confirmed that it was his last — for the time being.

It completed a career highlighted by 543 total tackles, 111 sacks, three Defensive Player of the Year awards and a Super Bowl win. In his initial final NFL season, he totaled 53 total tackles and eight sacks, with the Rams falling to the Lions in the Wild Card round in his "final" game.

MORE: Which 2-0, 0-2 teams are contenders or pretenders in NFL?

Why did Aaron Donald retire?

At 32 years old, Donald cited the mental and physical grind of the NFL over 10 years in his retirement post, saying he looked forward to more time with his family.

"For 10 years, I have been fortunate to play the game of football at the highest level. I'm thankful for the people I've met along the way, the relationships I've built and the things I've accomplished with my teammates and individually," Donald said in his statement. "Throughout my career, I have given my everything to football both mentally and physically -- 365 days a year was dedicated to becoming the best possible player I could be."

"I respected this game like no other and I'm blessed to be able to conclude my NFL career with the same franchise that drafted me. Not many people get drafted to a team, win a World Championship with that team and retire with that team. I do not, and will not, take that for granted."

"As I turn my focus to a new chapter, I don't know what the future holds, but I am excited about the off the field possibilities. I'm looking forward to spending more time with my wife, Erica, and my kids, Jaeda, AJ, Aaric and Aali. The greatest reward was being able to play this game with them by my side, and I can't wait to watch them live out their dreams just as they watched me live out mine."

Donald had also flirted with retirement in previous offseasons. After the Rams won the Super Bowl following the 2021 season, Donald mulled whether he would return to the NFL, ultimately using that leverage for a three-year, $95 million extension to continue playing.

He wound up not playing the final year of that contract, retiring before the 2024 season.

Cheers to what’s next. Extending a big thank you to the Rams and all of the fans for your support over these last 10 years. Much love. 🍾🙏🏽💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/edGxkUYdLz

— AD_99 (@AaronDonald97) March 15, 2024

Aaron Donald's last NFL game

Donald last stepped onto an NFL field on Jan. 14, 2024, when the Rams took on the Lions in Detroit during Wild Card Weekend. The playoff matchup included two quarterbacks who were previously traded for one another, as Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff went head-to-head.

Detroit survived a late push from the Rams for a 24-23 win, with the Lions making a run to the NFC Championship Game. Donald had three tackles in the loss.

Aaron Donald comeback timeline

July 2024: Donald doubles-down on retirement decision, explains further

The summer following his retirement decision, Donald expressed no regret talking to former Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder in July. He left $30 million on the table by retiring when he did, but made it clear he felt his decision was right.

"I'm a guy that train all year round," Donald said on The Pivot Podcast. "I'm not a guy that, I might take a week off after the season's over, and I'm in the weight room. I'm training again. So it's non-stop work for me. It's a lot that go into it that the world don't get to see. A lot of people don't see it. And it's like you get exhausted after a while.

"And I don't got the urge to go through 17 games again. I just don't got the urge to play football, and it's a disservice to me to just go out there for a check. This amount of money on the table, I can just get that and be done, and just get by. That's not the way I'm built. That's not the way I am. And I can't disrespect the game, because it did so much good for me."

June 1, 2026: Rams acquire Myles Garrett

In a stunning offseason move, the Rams acquired the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, from the Browns in exchange for Jared Verse and three draft picks. Garrett immediately made Los Angeles the preseason Super Bowl favorite, adding another huge name to a star-studded roster.

Once the Rams added one of the best pass rushers of all-time, naturally, fans began imagining the fit between Garrett and Donald, who would often still showcase his difficult training on social media. At first, it appeared to only be a pipe dream. But as the days of summer passed, there were increasing signs that Donald was actually considering coming out of retirement.

June 3, 2026: Donald says 'it's a possibility' he comes out of retirement

Two days after the Garrett trade, Pat McAfee said on his show that he texted Donald about whether he would consider coming out of retirement.

"It for sure got me thinking," Donald wrote, according to McAfee. "35, removed two years ago, got to see if that fire can light back up."

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 2, 2026

Donald also spoke to other reporters about his decision.

"I'm for sure flirting with the idea," Donald told Jordan Schultz of a possible return. "Helluva an opportunity with the Super Bowl in SoFi this year. If I can find the fire, it's a possibility."

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) June 2, 2026

Aug. 5, 2026: Donald officially works out with Rams

By early August, with the Rams in training camp, it became more apparent that he was interested in a comeback. On August 5, on the NFL's wire, the Rams said Donald completed a workout.

He "wanted to do a workout in a football helmet, and even though he did not wear pads during it, he used Rams’ team equipment at their facility during training camp," according to Adam Schefter.

Donald later completed a second workout with the Rams later in August.

Aug. 30, 2026: Donald un-retirement becomes official on $20 million deal

By late August, with McVay making it clear Donald would eventually come back, it became official ahead of the NFL roster cuts deadline. 

Donald signed a one-year, $20 million deal to return to the Rams for 2026.

“To be honest with you, it was on and off for a little while, but I think I knew this decision about two weeks [ago]," Donald said, per NFL Network. "I know the world was saying all types of things and nobody knew what was going on, but I kind of knew for two weeks. I talked to Sean every single week, damn near every day. We stayed in contact. I’d give him all my updates of how I was feeling, how things was going.

"I was doing everything I needed to do to get myself some peace of mind to see if I can do it. Wasn’t no rushing. Just wanted to take my time and make the decision because once you choose to come back, you’re all the way back in.”

Sept. 20, 2026: Donald says official return will come in Week 2

After skipping the Rams' trip to Australia in Week 1, Donald told reporters that he planned to make his return for Week 2's Monday night matchup against the Giants.

“It’s go time,” Donald told Jay Glazer of Fox Sports.

— ESPN (@espn) September 18, 2026

An update on the status of Joe Burrow, Aaron Donald, and more on the latest Inside Scoop with @JayGlazer pic.twitter.com/dWjwV96aRS

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 20, 2026