Aaron Donald may remain one of the most feared defenders of his generation, but as the Los Angeles Rams solidify themselves as NFC contenders in the 2025 NFL season, chatter about Donald returning from retirement has cropped up again, even if the defensive legend himself has insisted there’s no itch to get back on the field.
Meanwhile, quarterback Matthew Stafford‘s MVP-worthy campaign has thrust the Rams back into the national spotlight and fueled belief that Los Angeles could make a deep playoff run.
Donald, a threetime NFL Defensive Player of the Year and cornerstone of the Rams‘ Super Bowl LVI championship team, stepped away from the game in March 2024 after ten standout seasons with the franchise.
In recent remarks, he made it clear that he doesn’t miss playing and does not feel compelled to resume his career, even as teammates and fans speculate about what his return might mean for a Rams defense that has been good but not elite without him.
That hasn’t stopped outside voices from stirring the pot. League sources have said that Rams coaches and personnel would welcome Donald back if he chose to suit up again, and that there’s been light joking within the organization about a potential lateseason return to bolster a title push.
Even former Philadelphia Eagles center and current ESPN analyst Jason Kelce threw another voice into the mix.
On a recent episode of the New Heights podcast, Kelce urged Donald to consider a comeback, tapping into the ongoing narrative about the Rams‘ championship hopes and the tantalizing possibility of reuniting Stafford with the defensive force he once protected him from.
“Aaron Donald, bring him back…Go on a Super Bowl run AD. Who else could go do it?” he said in the episode.
Stafford’s MVP push and Rams’ real Super Bowl hopes
In Los Angeles, the narrative has largely centered around Stafford, who is playing at an MVP level and leading one of the NFL‘s most effective offenses in 2025.
Stafford‘s combination of experience, accuracy, and leadership has helped the Rams surge to the top of the NFC standings, and sportsbooks currently list him with strong odds to win the NFL MVP award.
The veteran signalcaller has continued to pile up impressive stats, including reaching career milestones such as becoming the ninth quarterback in NFL history to throw 400 career touchdown passes, a testament to his longevity and productivity.
Los Angeles‘ offense, with Stafford at the helm, has not only been consistent week to week but explosive in big moments.
In a recent 34-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Stafford connected multiple times with Davante Adams as the Rams extended their winning streak and climbed into sole possession of first place in the NFC.
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