Aaron Donald may not have officially announced an NFL comeback, but he definitely got people talking.
The retired Rams legend reignited speculation this week after reacting with the wide-eyes emoji to a social media post about him returning to Los Angeles. It was only one emoji, but that’s all it took for fans to start wondering if a comeback is actually on the table.
The timing makes it even more interesting.
After the Rams pulled off the blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett earlier this offseason, Donald admitted on The Pat McAfee Show that the move “sure got me thinking.” He said he needed to figure out whether the desire to play football was still there.
Now, instead of letting the rumors die, he added a little more fuel. Does an emoji mean he’s definitely coming back? Of course not. But Donald also could have ignored it completely. Instead, he leaned into the conversation, and that’s enough to keep Rams fans dreaming.
If he did return, the Rams’ defensive line would instantly become one of the most feared units in football. Heck, Donald teaming up with Myles Garrett might give the Rams the most talented defensive line the league has ever seen.
Just picture offenses trying to block Donald and Garrett at the same time. Double one, and the other gets a one-on-one matchup. There simply aren’t many offensive lines built to handle that kind of pressure for four quarters.
The Rams were already viewed as legitimate Super Bowl contenders after landing Garrett. Bringing back Donald would take that conversation to another level.
Nothing is official, and there’s still every chance Donald stays retired. But as long as he keeps teasing the possibility, the speculation isn’t going anywhere.
2026 Fantasy Football Impact
Aaron Donald wouldn’t have much fantasy value himself outside of IDP fantasy football leagues, but his return would make a noticeable impact elsewhere.
The Rams D/ST would immediately become one of the more intriguing fantasy defenses thanks to the massive increase in sack and turnover upside. They already look good for 2026, but adding Donald would provide a significant boost.
A Donald-Garrett pairing could create weekly splash plays and push Los Angeles into the conversation as one of the first defenses drafted.
It would also be a boost for the offense. More defensive stops and better field position mean more possessions, more scoring chances, and more opportunities for the Rams to play with a lead. That’s good news for the running game and helps the entire offense stay in favorable game scripts.
From a betting perspective, the Rams’ Super Bowl odds would almost certainly improve if Donald returned. They already have one of the most talented rosters in the NFC. Adding a future Hall of Famer back to the middle of that defense could be the move that puts them squarely in the championship conversation.
Playing DFS since the days of DraftStreet, Kevin knows the ins and outs of DFS, specifically for NFL and NBA. He’s also been helping people win in fantasy football leagues for 15+ years and is one of many experts featured at FantasyPros.
Want more winning DFS plays like this? Get our daily core plays, leverage spots, and strategy sent straight to your inbox.
Leave a Reply