Headline: Rams Coach Sean McVay Weighs in on Aaron Donald’s Uncertain Future
The Los Angeles Rams wrapped up their 2026 preseason with a victory against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, now turning their attention to the upcoming regular season. However, uncertainty surrounds the potential return of eight-time All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who remains undecided about coming out of retirement.
Sean McVay expressed concerns about Donald’s status, stating it remains “up in the air” just under two weeks before the Rams kick off their season against the San Francisco 49ers. McVay commented on the situation during a press briefing, according to Pro Football Talk.
“I think all of those things are up in the air,” McVay said. “I wish I had a little bit better ability to give you some clarity, but it’s really one of those deals that, what we’re doing we’re focusing on this football team. Aaron knows that if he wants to be able to do that, that’s something that we absolutely want to be able to entertain and figure out, and that’s really all there is to it right now.”
Donald, who is now 35 years old, has not played since the 2023 season. Yet, he has shown interest in returning for the 2026 season, participating in a “tryout” with the Rams, which McVay described as successful, noting that Donald “looked outstanding.”
No further updates on Donald’s decision have emerged since that tryout. Time is of the essence as he must soon decide if he will don his pads once again in pursuit of another championship.
Former teammate Andrew Whitworth hinted at a likely comeback for Donald during a segment on Prime, ahead of the preseason game between the Cleveland Browns and the New England Patriots. He stated that anyone who “puts on a helmet and hits a sled” is ready to return to the game.
“Oh, I think he’s playing,” Whitworth said. “I think you gotta figure out all the little parts that go into it. … Listen, if you put a helmet on and hit a sled, you’re playing football. I don’t care what you say, you’re going to figure it out.”
Should Donald decide to return, he will be pressed for time to prepare for the regular season start. However, his known dedication and rigorous training routines may allow him to be more prepared than anticipated.
For many players, a late return to training would hinder their ability to make an impact in Week 1. Yet, for a player with Donald’s extraordinary talent, the possibility remains open if he chooses to lace up his cleats once again.
The Los Angeles Rams closed out the 2026 preseason with a win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday and can now look ahead to the regular season. Problem is, they still don’t know whether their eight-time All-Pro is coming out of retirement.
The Aaron Donald situation remains “up in the air” with less than two weeks until the Rams take on the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1, Sean McVay said Thursday, per Pro Football Talk.
“I think all of those things are up in the air,” McVay said. “I wish I had a little bit better ability to give you some clarity, but it’s really one of those deals that, what we’re doing we’re focusing on this football team. Aaron knows that if he wants to be able to do that, that’s something that we absolutely want to be able to entertain and figure out, and that’s really all there is to it right now.”
Donald, now 35, hasn’t played since the 2023 season, but has flirted with coming out of retirement in 2026. Donald went so far as to attend a “tryout” with the Rams. That, apparently, went very well, with McVay saying the former All-Pro “looked outstanding.”
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Since then, there have been no new updates on Donald’s status. With time running out, Donald will need to make a decision soon on whether he’ll put his pads on one more time in pursuit of another championship.
At least one of his former teammates believes Donald is going to play in 2026. Former Rams center Andrew Whitworth spoke about the situation on Prime ahead of the Cleveland Browns vs. New England Patriots’ preseason game Thursday, and said anyone who puts on a helmet and hits a sled is coming back, per Rams Wire.
“Oh, I think he’s playing,” Whitworth said. “I think you gotta figure out all the little parts that go into it. … Listen, if you put a helmet on and hit a sled, you’re playing football. I don’t care what you say, you’re going to figure it out.”
If Donald does come back, he’s not giving himself much time to be fully ready for the start of the 2026 regular season. Then again, Donald is known for his relentless workouts and phenomenal work ethic, so perhaps he’ll be farther along than anyone expects.
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With most other players, it would be tough to imagine them coming back so late in the process and seeing significant playing time in Week 1. For a player as freakishly talented as Donald, anything is on the table if he wants to lace up his spikes again.
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