Shawne Merriman believes Aaron Donald would immediately return as one of the NFL’s best players even if the retired Los Angeles Rams star came back at only 80 percent of his former level
The former Chargers linebacker made the prediction as Donald weighs ending his two-year retirement and rejoining the only NFL franchise he has ever played for
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Donald recently completed a formal workout with the Rams, another significant step in a comeback process that has accelerated since Los Angeles acquired reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett earlier this offseason
Donald has been putting himself through a structured preparation process while Los Angeles waits for his decision
Merriman Says Donald at 80 Percent Is Still a ‘Top 3’ NFL Player
Merriman told TMZ Sports that he has little doubt Donald could still be an elite defender after spending two seasons away from the NFL. According to Merriman, even getting 80 percent of the player Donald was before retirement would leave the Rams with one of the league’s best players
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TMZ summarized Merriman’s assessment by saying the three-time Pro Bowler believes Donald could still dominate despite not having played an NFL snap since January 2024
Merriman was particularly intrigued by the possibility of pairing Donald with Garrett, who joined Los Angeles after winning the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year award and setting an NFL single-season record with 23 sacks
Donald’s Latest Rams Workout Was an Official Tryout
Donald’s recent session with the Rams was more significant than an ordinary offseason workout. NFL.com reported that Donald’s workout appeared on the league’s transaction wire as a formal tryout because he used Rams equipment while going through the session
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The Rams later explained that the designation was largely procedural rather than an indication that the franchise still needed to determine whether Donald was good enough to make its roster. “Best tryout we’ve ever had,” head coach Sean McVay joked. “I think he could make the team.”
The Rams said Donald went through individual defensive-line drills as part of a carefully planned process designed to help him determine how his body responds as he considers playing again
McVay subsequently said Donald “looked great” but emphasized that the former defensive tackle had not yet reached a final decision
The Myles Garrett Trade Reopened a Door Donald Had Closed
Donald appeared content with retirement when he walked away following the 2023 season. He announced his decision in March 2024 after 10 seasons with the St. Louis and Los Angeles Rams and later said he felt “complete” and “full” after everything he had accomplished
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McVay has explained that he contacted Donald while the franchise was considering the move because he valued his former player’s opinion. That conversation unexpectedly helped reopen the possibility of Donald playing again
Donald later told Garrett that he was seriously considering returning to the Rams, according to reporting on the discussions surrounding his comeback
McVay said in July that Donald had adopted a strict training process similar to the routine he followed as an active player so he could determine whether his body was prepared for another NFL season
Donald Retired After One of the Most Decorated Defensive Careers in NFL History
Donald spent his entire 10-year career with the Rams organization after being selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. According to the Rams’ official career record, he finished with 111 sacks, 176 tackles for loss, 256 quarterback hits and 24 forced fumbles in 154 regular-season games. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in all 10 of his NFL seasons and earned eight first-team All-Pro selections
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Donald also won three Defensive Player of the Year awards and helped Los Angeles win Super Bowl LVI, producing the decisive pressure on Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow on the final defensive play. Donald recorded eight sacks in 2023 and earned another first-team All-Pro selection before retiring
