Is Aaron Donald signing imminent? DT works out with Rams for second time, Sean McVay mum on timeline
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- Aaron Donald worked out with the Rams on Sunday for the second time this month, following his Aug. 5 facility appearance — his closest activity to an official practice since retiring at the end of the 2023 season.
- Sean McVay said he is "hopeful" a decision comes "sooner than later" but refused to impose a timeline, noting only "loose" internal target dates and Donald's right to evaluate his own readiness at age 35.
- Donald has been weighing a comeback since early June, when the Rams acquired edge rusher Myles Garrett in a trade that reshaped their defensive outlook.
- McVay said Donald has set personal benchmarks — including whether he can "stack back-to-back days" — before committing to return.
- The Rams' defense already projects as the preseason Super Bowl favorite after the Garrett deal and offseason additions of cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
- In his final 2023 season, Donald posted 8 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, and 23 quarterback hits — numbers well below his career highs but still enough for an eighth first-team All-Pro selection.
Why it matters: The Rams are the preseason Super Bowl favorite after adding Myles Garrett, Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, and even a diminished Donald at 35 would further fortify a defense McVay is openly courting — but Donald alone controls the timeline through his self-set benchmarks.
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