Rams’ Chris Shula can’t contain his excitement to have Aaron Donald in 2026

As the great poet James Todd “LL Cool J” Smith said: Don’t call it a comeback! After a two-year retirement, Aaron Donald will suit up once again for the Los Angeles Rams.

His return will instantly boost to the Rams’ defense. Donald will team up with Myles Garrett to form a deadly duo. As soon as the team acquired Garrett in a trade with the Cleveland Browns in June, fans begged Donald to unretire, salivating over the prospect of the two enforcers playing together.

The 35-year-old Donald acquiesced. Now, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula could not help but gush about the three-time Defensive Player of the Year, saying he is “extremely excited.”

“A great football player. What’s been cool about the last week or so is honestly what a great person and a worker he is. Extremely coachable. He really trusts his coaches. Giff’s (Smith) already developed a great relationship with him,” said Shula in a media conference.

“Another vet in the building who will go out there, work extremely hard, and obviously, one of the best defensive linemen of all time. So I’m extremely happy to have him.”

DC Chris Shula on Aaron Donald's veteran presence. pic.twitter.com/iMlKe9a5TG

— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) September 7, 2026

Shula joined the Rams after Donald walked away.

Los Angeles will slowly ease in Donald, who last played in the wild-card round of the playoffs in 2024. While he has stayed in shape throughout his brief retirement, he will have to regain his rhythm, timing, and endurance, especially since the NFL has gotten a lot faster.

In his last season in Los Angeles, he logged 53 total tackles, including 16 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and three passes defended. He was named to the All-Pro First Team for the eighth time and the Pro Bowl for the 10th time.

As of this writing, Donald’s status for Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia is still unclear.

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