Aaron Donald’s potential Rams return hits frustrating standstill

Aaron Donald is taking his sweet time deciding whether to play football again, and the Rams are determined not to stare too aggressively at the clock.

A decision once expected early this week was pushed toward the end of the week. That deadline could slide deeper into August as Donald weighs whether to end his two-year retirement.

Sean McVay remains hopeful, but he is refusing to pressure the franchise legend into an answer.

“He’s going through his process,” McVay told reporters Tuesday. “I’m hopeful. I don’t even want to put a timeline on it because what I don’t want to do is rush this.”

Donald and the Rams have discussed what his return would look like, but those conversations have not produced a commitment.

“There are conversations we’ve had. Hopefully sooner than later, but there’s no new news,” McVay said. “He is continuing to go through his process.”

Donald’s official workout with the Rams made his potential comeback feel increasingly inevitable. Recently released footage also showed that his famously imposing physique survived retirement.

Looking ready during an individual workout, however, is different from deciding to absorb double-teams for another NFL season.

Donald has not played since the 2023 campaign. At 35, he must determine whether his body — and competitive appetite — can still meet the standard he established during 10 seasons with Los Angeles.

Several Hall of Fame defensive linemen have warned that Donald’s return would not be easy. Warren Sapp offered a blunt “good luck,” while Bruce Smith noted the difficulty of returning after two full seasons away.

Myles Garrett understands those concerns. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year has perhaps more to gain than anyone from Donald’s return, but he is following McVay’s lead and refusing to recruit him aggressively.

“I don’t want to push him in one way or another,” Garrett said. “If he’s here, I’m excited to be his teammate, his partner in crime. I think we can do great things together.”

Garrett also acknowledged that Donald must consider his family and the physical demands of attempting a comeback.

“As much as you can try to work yourself back into shape, you’ve got to get your wind and your legs back underneath you,” Garrett said. “When you get on the field and things are flying around, you’ve got to find a way to get your conditioning back and slow down the game once more.”

Garrett nevertheless appeared to reveal some optimism when discussing a future photograph with Donald.

“Maybe when Aaron comes back, I’ll get a picture with him holding the jersey that’s hanging up at my place in Texas,” Garrett said.

The “when” quickly stood out in a situation still publicly defined by “if.”

Should Donald return soon enough, Los Angeles reportedly intends to recreate the ramp-up programs used following his contract holdouts in 2017 and 2018. The goal would be to prepare him for approximately 30 to 40 snaps in the Week 1 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia.

Every additional delay shortens that runway, although the Rams appear willing to adjust rather than force an answer.

LA already has Garrett, Jared Verse, Byron Young, Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner. Donald is not needed to rescue the defense. His return would instead create one of the most imposing pass-rush combinations in NFL history.

That possibility explains why the Rams will tolerate the waiting — and the risks accompanying enormous expectations for Donald’s comeback.

McVay will not rush him. Garrett will not pressure him. The Rams will not impose a public deadline.

Donald has all the room he needs to make his decision. Everyone else just has to keep waiting.

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