Business & Finance
Aaron Donald ends retirement to sign one-year deal with Los Angeles Rams
The 35-year-old defensive lineman returns on an incentive-laden deal after a 2 1/2-year retirement.
The short version
- Aaron Donald announced his return to the Los Angeles Rams after retiring in March 2024.
- Donald agreed to a one-year contract worth at least $20 million, with incentives that could raise the value to $30 million.
- He joins a Los Angeles defense that added defensive lineman Myles Garrett and cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson during the offseason.
- The Rams prepare for their season opener against the San Francisco 49ers.
Key facts
- Aaron Donald signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams worth at least $20 million, with potential performance incentives reaching $30 million.[Associated Press · The Guardian · Fox News]
- Donald initially retired in March 2024 following 10 seasons with the Rams, during which he earned three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards and a Super Bowl title.[Associated Press · The Guardian]
- Donald holds the Rams' franchise record for career sacks with 111.[Associated Press · The Guardian]
- The decision to return reset Donald's eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which was previously slated for 2029.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- The extent to which Donald can replicate his former All-Pro level of play following a two-season absence from the NFL remains untested in game action.[The Guardian · Fox News]