Cooper Kupp jokes about Aaron Donald’s return as the Rams discuss a real possibility
Cooper Kupp joked that he told Aaron Donald he’s “not allowed” to come out of retirement and rejoin the Rams. While it was said in jest, it also comes from a former teammate now on a division rival, speaking about a front line that could quickly become one of the league’s most dangerous.
According to Kupp, he told Donald, “Don’t even think about it,” before adding, “Aaron Donald is Aaron Donald. I don’t care how old he is, how long he hasn’t played.” The Rams aren’t treating it like a joke: McVay has openly talked about wanting him back, and Snead confirmed they’ve “communicated, texted, even talked,” saying they’ll give him time to consider it.
Los Angeles just traded for Myles Garrett, who set the single-season sack record, and already rosters the reigning MVP in Matthew Stafford and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Garrett.
Adding a healthy Aaron Donald to that mix would create one of the most disruptive pass-rush duos in recent memory – and could turn a strong defence into something even more intimidating. Kupp, now with division rival Seattle, has every reason to keep an eye on what’s happening.
What’s unclear is if Donald can still be himself at 35
The Rams are already set to go into camp with six defensive starters who earned Pro Bowl selections last season. Even before talk of Donald joining, they were considered favourites for Super Bowl LIX. Donald has stayed retired longer than most expected. He stepped away at age 33 without showing any real signs of decline, but after two years out, it’s fair to wonder how quickly he’d find his old rhythm.
For a team that’s spent big money elsewhere on its roster, there are questions about how much room they have left under the cap – and what kind of deal Donald would even be looking for at this stage. There hasn’t been any public talk about money yet from either side.
Donald didn’t leave because his play dropped off. He stepped away after a 2023 season where he put up eight sacks and 53 tackles, still performing among the best in the game. That’s part of why talk of a return feels legitimate and not just wishful thinking.
The real issue isn’t his ability—it’s the two years away from the game. Interior linemen often age better than edge rushers, and Donald always relied more on technique than raw speed, which tends to last into a player’s later years. If he comes back even close to what he was, the Rams don’t just look like Super Bowl favourites—they start to look like a problem nobody else in the NFC knows how to handle.
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