Hall of Fame QB says Aaron Donald 'absolutely' could return from retirement

· Yahoo Sports

As the offseason wears on, it's become apparent that the list of people who don't believe Aaron Donald can make an NFL comeback is smaller than the list of people who do.

In a one-on-one interview with USA TODAY Sports, Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees said he 'absolutely' believes Donald could return to NFL action in 2026.

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"First off, I've watched the guy on Instagram, and it looks like he's staying in pretty good shape," Brees said. "I mean, I'm still pretty scared of him."

In the two years since his retirement, Donald has consistently posted videos of his workouts to social media – videos that seem to indicate he is still in playing shape if he were to decide to return to the Los Angeles Rams. The 35-year-old defensive tackle has not played an NFL snap since January 2024, but Brees said he's not doubting the possibility of a comeback.

AARON DONALD: Former DT says Myles Garrett trade 'got me thinking' on Rams return

Los Angeles' move to trade for star edge rusher Myles Garrett earlier in the offseason was the chief catalyst that sparked speculation Donald could return. The trade was among the reasons that the former Saints quarterback laid out for why an NFL return could be especially enticing for Donald in 2026.

"For him to sit there and go, 'Wait a minute, you mean I can come back, I ... can play 20-25 snaps a game, it's always going to be a pass rush, I'm always going to be matched up against the worst offensive linemen, and all the attention is going to Myles Garrett? Like, yeah, why not?'" Brees said.

"[The Myles Garrett trade] for sure got me thinking," Donald said via text, per "The Pat McAfee Show" on June 2.

On July 10, Donald was spotted working out at the Rams' facility. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that Donald "wanted to go there, work out, see how he felt, see how he reacted, see everything that went along with being back in pads on the football field and seeing how it made him feel." Schefter also said he believed Donald would return to the Rams this season.

In the seven years of overlap in their respective NFL careers, Donald and Brees faced off five times, including once in the playoffs. In those games, Donald recorded two sacks, 13 tackles and 11 quarterback hits. During a Week 2 matchup in 2019, Brees tore a ligament in his right (throwing) hand after taking a hit from Donald, which knocked him out for five weeks.

Donald is likely bound for first-ballot Hall of Famer status if he stays in retirement for a few more years. His eight first-team All-Pro nods are tied for fifth-most all-time for a single player. Donald is also one of three NFL players in history to win the Defensive Player of the Year award three times, alongside Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt.

Brees was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a part of the Class of 2026. He is one of two first-ballot members in this year's class – wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is the other – and will be officially enshrined in Canton in August.

Aaron Donald return is not imminent

On the July 21 episode of "The Adam Schefter Podcast," the ESPN insider shared that Donald is still a ways away from deciding whether he'll return to the Rams this year.

"Aaron Donald is essentially trying to get himself ready for the upcoming season," Schefter said. "I don't think, and it doesn't sound like, we're gonna get an immediate answer, or an immediate signing, of Aaron Donald. He is too busy trying to get himself back into football shape, to try to regain some of the form he might've lost in two years away from football, and he's not gonna come back until he feels like he's ready to be Aaron Donald again."

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Schefter went on to say that it could be a while before Donald and the Rams come to terms on a new contract agreement for 2026.

"There are incremental steps, and it doesn't sound like it's going to move fast," he said. "We may not see Donald back in a Rams uniform until early in the season."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hall of Fame QB says Aaron Donald 'absolutely' could return from retirement

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