McVay sets no deadline for Aaron Donald’s return decision

Aaron Donald has no fixed deadline to decide whether he will come out of retirement, with Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay saying he hopes for an answer sooner rather than later while giving the defensive tackle space to reach his own conclusion. Source 1Source 2

What happened

McVay said the Rams have not imposed a hard or “invisible” deadline on Donald’s potential return, despite the club identifying some loose target dates internally. Source 1Source 2

The coach’s position is that a timetable should not create avoidable pressure if circumstances change, saying: "What I don't want is to sit here and do is put a timeline on it, then something comes up where I have to push it back." Source 2

McVay nevertheless made clear that the Rams would prefer a resolution in the near term, saying: "I am hopeful that it will be sooner rather than later but I also want to respect when he does feel that clarity will come." Source 2

Donald, 35, retired in March 2024 after a 10-year Rams career, but he took part in an official workout with the team on 5 August and McVay described how he looked as outstanding. Source 1Source 2

He has also visited the Rams’ facility during the offseason as he works towards regaining football fitness following two years away from the game. Source 2

Talk of a possible comeback began in early June after Los Angeles acquired Myles Garrett in a trade. Source 1Source 2

Why it matters

Donald’s decision would determine whether the Rams add a former cornerstone of their defence to a squad McVay has said he already feels positive about. Source 1Source 2

McVay has said Donald would bring value should he choose to return, while stressing that the player has earned the right to decide only when he has genuine clarity. Source 1Source 2

"He's put himself in a position to be able to say yes or no. I think he's earned that right to have clarity on that," McVay said. Source 1

Donald’s last Rams season, in 2023, included 53 total tackles, eight sacks, 16 tackles for loss and three passes defended. Source 3

The roster has to be reduced to 53 players by 30 August, but McVay has confirmed that deadline will not become a hard cutoff for Donald’s call. Source 1

What's next

The Rams opened the 2026 preseason with a 20-12 road win over the Kansas City Chiefs on 15 August. Source 4

Los Angeles are due to host the New Orleans Saints on 22 August before facing the Los Angeles Chargers on 28 August. Source 4

Their regular-season opener is scheduled for 11 September against the San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Source 4

McVay’s immediate message is that the team is waiting for Donald’s decision rather than setting a public timeline for it. Source 1Source 2

Notes

No decision from Donald on a return has been announced in the material available, and McVay has not attached a definitive date to a resolution. Source 1Source 2

The outstanding question is whether Donald’s workouts and offseason contact with the club will lead to a return, or simply help him reach a final decision. Source 1Source 2