Rams GM Spoke to Aaron Donald About Potential Return for NFL Playoffs amid Retirement

zach bacharContributor IMay 3, 2024

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Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead revealed that he spoke with star defensive tackle Aaron Donald about possibly returning for a playoff run despite his retirement on March 15.

“I did mention [to Aaron Donald] if we happen to get to the playoffs again, maybe we’ll circle back and see,” Snead said in a Thursday appearance on The Rich Eisen Show (6:05 mark).

Snead added that he talked with Donald about former safety Eric Weddle, who came back in a similar manner. Weddle initially retired after his 2019 season with the Rams, although he returned to the team ahead of its playoff run in 2021.

The veteran safety appeared in all four postseason games for Los Angeles, including a 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl 56.

While Snead admitted he would “doubt” Donald will return from retirement for a future playoff push, he didn’t close the door on that scenario completely.

The 32-year-old defensive tackle showed no signs of slowing down in his final season with the Rams, which could make it easier for him to return to an organization that he spent all 10 years of his career with. In 2023, Donald racked up eight sacks and 16 tackles for loss with Los Angeles.

After the Rams made a surprising playoff appearance during their 2023 campaign, they could become a perennial postseason contender led by young stars such as wide receiver Puka Nacua and running back Kyren Williams.

The Rams likely hope Donald will reconsider his decision if Los Angeles has another impressive regular season in 2024.