McVay: No 'Invisible Deadline' on Aaron Donald Decision
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- Sean McVay told the Los Angeles Times he won't put an "invisible deadline" on Aaron Donald, saying the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year has "earned that right to have clarity" on whether to come out of retirement
- Donald retired in March 2024 after spending his entire 10-year career with the Rams, but joined the team for a workout on Aug. 5 that McVay said he "looked outstanding" in
- Donald began entertaining a comeback in early June after the Rams traded for Myles Garrett, and has since been working to get back in football shape and "stack back-to-back days," per McVay
- NFL teams must trim rosters from 90 to 53 players by Aug. 30, but McVay said he won't apply that hard timeline to Donald despite having some "loose" internal target dates
- McVay said he's satisfied with the Rams' current roster regardless of Donald's decision, adding "I feel great about our football team as it currently stands, and I know he'll add value if he decides to come"
- McVay made the comments after Saturday's preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs
Why it matters: The Aug. 30 mandatory roster cut from 90 to 53 players is effectively the only hard deadline that exists, regardless of McVay's framing. If Donald waits beyond that date, the Rams would need a roster exemption or post-deadline signing to bring him back, complicating any late comeback for the 35-year-old.
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