LOS ANGELES — Aaron Donald returned to the Los Angeles Rams at age 35 after two years in retirement. Head coach Sean McVay held a press conference on Sunday to announce the defensive tackle's return to the franchise.

Donald originally retired on March 15, 2024 after 10 NFL seasons. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year is a first-ballot Hall of Famer who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023, becoming the first player in history to be a first-ballot inductee with 100-plus sacks.

"Just because we have great individuals, it doesn’t do s--- for us," McVay said. "We’ve got to be able to put it together. [Donald] understands that as much as anybody."

"He means a lot to me," McVay said. "And it’s way bigger.." Donald agreed to a one-year, $20 million deal with playoff incentives that can raise the overall value to $30 million.

Why It Matters

The return of a first-ballot Hall of Famer alters the composition of a defense that already added Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie. Donald’s previous retirement in March 2024 ended a decade-long tenure that began with his selection in the 2014 NFL Draft.

The agreement includes financial mechanisms tied to postseason performance, with a base value of $20 million and potential increases to $30 million. This structure links compensation directly to the team's ability to advance in the playoffs alongside its new personnel acquisitions.

What's New

Aaron Donald was selected as the No. 13 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. "He means a lot to me," Sean McVay said. "And it’s way bigger.." Aaron Donald agreed to a one-year, $20 million deal with playoff incentives that can raise the overall value to $30 million.

Donald recorded 11 sacks in his rookie season (2014), earning him a spot on the Pro Bowl and the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Donald’s 136.5 career sacks rank 10th all-time among defensive linemen, behind only Reggie White, Bruce Smith, and others. Aaron Donald's career regular-season statistics include 543 tackles, 111 sacks, 176 tackles for loss, 790 pressures, and 24 forced fumbles. Donald was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023, becoming the first player in history to be a first-ballot inductee with 100+ sacks. Aaron Donald originally retired on March 15, 2024 after 10 NFL seasons.

How Sources Differ

Regarding details about Aaron Donald, the primary source, and Aaron Donald returned to the Los Angeles Rams at age 35 after two years in retirement. The Pro Football Hall of Fame states that Aaron Donald was selected as the No. 13 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.