The prospect of Aaron Donald potentially rejoining the Rams is capturing the imagination of NFL enthusiasts this offseason.
With the high-profile acquisition of Myles Garrett, the excitement surrounding a Super Bowl hosted in Los Angeles, and Donald himself dropping subtle hints about a return, speculation about his comeback is reaching fever pitch.
However, not everyone is sold on the possibility.
Eric Dickerson, a Rams icon and Hall of Fame running back, has a straightforward stance on the matter: he believes Aaron Donald should remain in retirement.
In a conversation with TMZ Sports at LAX, Dickerson expressed his admiration for Donald, acknowledging he’d relish seeing the dominant defensive tackle don the No. 99 jersey again. For many Rams fans, the vision of Donald joining forces with Garrett is tantalizing.
Still, Dickerson believes the best move is walking away while nothing is left to prove.
“I’d love to have Aaron back but I think they can win without him,” Dickerson said. “Would I love to have him? Hell yeah.”
The reasoning is straightforward.
Donald retired following the 2023 season as one of the most decorated defensive players in NFL history. He won three Defensive Player of the Year awards, earned eight First-Team All-Pro selections, made the Pro Bowl in every season of his career and capped it all with a Super Bowl championship.
Few players have ever left the game with a resume that complete.
“Stay retired. Enjoy retirement, man,” Dickerson said. “What does he have to prove? He’s got nothing to prove.”
That stance puts Dickerson in a surprisingly small group.
Earlier this week, ESPN insider Adam Schefter said a Donald comeback now feels “more likely than not,” citing growing belief around the league that the Rams’ acquisition of Garrett could be enough to lure him back.
Donald added fuel to the speculation himself after telling Pat McAfee the trade “for sure got me thinking.”
Even former teammate Cooper Kupp jokingly admitted he texted Donald to tell him not to come back.
“I don’t care how old he is,” Kupp said. “Aaron Donald is Aaron Donald.”
That’s exactly what makes this conversation so difficult.
Donald was still playing at an elite level when he retired. If he returned, he would immediately join a defense featuring Garrett, Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson on a team many already view as a Super Bowl contender.
The temptation is obvious.
Dickerson just believes some endings are already perfect.
And Aaron Donald’s might be one of them.