Aaron Donald ended a two-year retirement on Monday with the Los Angeles Rams. Donald shared a profound moment pregame with former Rams teammate turned New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham. But that interaction had nothing on the electric moment Donald received right before kickoff.
The Rams made sure to reintroduce their legendary defensive tackle before the game. Fans exploded in euphoria the moment Donald ran back onto SoFi Stadium.
Rams fans give Aaron Donald a LOUD ovation as he comes out of the tunnel 🔊
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints)
[September 22, 2026]
Donald last played in the 2023 season, with the wildcard playoff lost against the Detroit Lions becoming his final game. He watched the Rams from home during the 2024 and 2025 season. And that came during a time LA drafted edge rusher Jared Verse to become the new, potential face of the defense.
But the Rams pulled off a blockbuster June 1 trade involving Verse. Los Angeles and general manager Les Snead sent draft capital and Verse to the Cleveland Browns, gaining Myles Garrett in return. The Rams lured in the league's 2025 Defensive Player of the Year in the process.
And Garrett's arrival sparked Donald's reinterest i...