Aaron Donald’s retirement may not be as final as it appeared. With the Los Angeles Rams’ blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett, speculation has swirled that the future Hall of Fame defensive tackle could return to the field, but one of his closest peers is urging him to stay away. JJ Watt, the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, admitted on The Dan Patrick Show that he exchanged private text messages with Donald shortly before training camp opened. Rather than encouraging a comeback, Watt delivered a blunt and heartfelt message: stay retired.
Watt explained that while Donald still possesses rare, generational talent, stepping into an NFL season without the grueling buildup of training camp leaves a player vulnerable to injury. He told Donald that, as someone who respects him, he believed the three-time Defensive Player of the Year had already achieved everything possible in professional football. The context behind the speculation is significant. The Rams acquired Myles Garrett, the reigning NFL sack leader, in a blockbuster trade orchestrated by general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay.
Pairing Garrett with Donald on the same defensive line would create a pass-rushing tandem widely described across the league as a potential “cheat code. ”
Donald’s retirement itself was unusual by NFL standards. As Hall of Fame defensive lineman Warren Sapp noted on Chris Simms Unbuttoned, most veterans are forced out by injuries, age, or roster cuts, often clinging to their helmets until the end. Donald walked away at the height of his physical powers, holding a Super Bowl ring, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and eight first-team All-Pro selections.
Sapp, however, also raised a tactical point about how such a pairing would work. When two dominant pass rushers line up together, offensive lines naturally slide protection toward that side. To make the pairing truly effective, Donald would likely need to play a specific role, possibly moving to the opposite side of the formation to force offenses into unfavorable one-on-one matchups. If a center and guard double-team Donald inside, Garrett would face a lone blocker on the edge.
If offenses slide toward Garrett, Donald would gain favorable interior matchups. Either way, opposing quarterbacks would have little room to step up in the pocket, and the Rams’ defensive secondary would benefit from hurried throws and increased turnover opportunities. General manager Les Snead’s roster-building history makes the scenario plausible. Snead has repeatedly traded draft capital for established superstars, and acquiring Garrett signals a clear win-now commitment.
That aggressive approach may reassure Donald that Los Angeles would provide every resource needed to pursue a second championship. Warren Sapp also pointed out that Donald has remained in shape, training maniacally despite his retirement. The question, Sapp said, is not whether Donald could still be effective—he could be. The question is how much he would be asked to play.
A rotational role focused on third downs and critical situations is one possibility, though Donald would likely have the freedom to decide his own workload. JJ Watt, however, remained skeptical about any return being seamless. He noted that no amount of offseason training fully replicates the physical toll of NFL trenches. He also questioned the assumption that Donald would instantly return to his prime form, suggesting that even a player of his caliber cannot simply turn back into his 20-something self.
The Rams’ offense adds another layer to the speculation. Matthew Stafford returns as quarterback, with Puka Nacua coming off a record-breaking season and veteran receiver Davante Adams stretching defenses downfield. If the defense can force quick three-and-outs, the offense would benefit from repeated short-field opportunities, allowing the team to play with a lead and unleash its pass rushers. The path to a Super Bowl remains difficult.
The Rams face a brutal 17-game schedule, including divisional battles with San Francisco, Seattle, and Arizona, plus non-conference matchups against Kansas City, Philadelphia, and Dallas. But national analysts largely agree that if Garrett integrates successfully and Donald returns for a late-season push, Los Angeles becomes the consensus favorite to win the Lombardi Trophy at SoFi Stadium. For now, the decision rests entirely with Donald. JJ Watt has made his position clear, warning that a comeback carries real risk.
But the lure of joining Myles Garrett under Sean McVay, with a roster built to win immediately, may prove difficult to resist. If Donald chooses to return, the Rams will have assembled one of the most formidable defensive fronts in NFL history. If he stays retired, Los Angeles will still field an elite pass rush with Garrett leading the charge. Either way, the franchise has positioned itself as the premier destination in professional football.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Donald answers the call or takes Watt’s advice to heart.
