‘Nobody Is Scared’, ‘Go Back to Retirement’ — NFL Fans React As Aaron Donald Announces Plan for Rams-Giants MNF Clash
· Yahoo Sports
The Los Angeles Rams spent all summer wondering when Aaron Donald would be ready to play again. His answer has finally arrived.
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Donald told reporters Friday that the plan is for him to make his 2026 season debut Monday night against the New York Giants, putting the three-time Defensive Player of the Year back on an NFL field for the first time since the 2023 season.
The announcement drew everything from excitement to skepticism after Los Angeles opened the season with a 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
NFL Fans Split Over Aaron Donald’s Planned Rams Return
ESPN’sAdam Schefter shared Donald’s announcement on X, and the response quickly turned negative among some fans.
One fan wrote, “He should just go back into retirement. The Rams’ season is cursed.”
Another fan was even more dismissive, writing, “Nobody cares about the most overrated of all time.”
But not everyone shared that pessimism.One X user wrote, “Aaron Donald is back 😮💨🔥 First game since 2024 and he’s stepping right back onto the field. Monday night just got a whole lot more interesting! 🐏💪🏾”
One X user questioned how much of the old Donald remains,writing, “Nobody is scared of 2026 version of ADoland. He past his prime speed and strength.”
That debate is understandable because Donald is attempting something unusual.
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Donald retired in March 2024 after 10 seasons, sat out the entire 2024 and 2025 campaigns, then returned to the Rams on a one-year deal.
Rams Need Donald After Myles Garrett Injury
Donald did not travel to Australia for Los Angeles’ opener, as the Rams wanted to give him additional time to ramp up.
He now returns at an ideal moment for a defense missing its other superstar pass rusher. Myles Garrett underwent arthroscopic knee surgery after struggling in Week 1 and has been placed on injured reserve, ruling him out for at least four games.
That leaves Donald as the most accomplished player on a defensive front that failed to record a sack against San Francisco.
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Los Angeles currently owns a 64.9D-Line Impact grade from PFN, ranking No. 30 in the NFL through Week 1. The Rams also rank No. 31 in PFN Team Impact Rankings after their opening loss.
Donald has little left to prove individually. He recorded 111 sacks over his first 10 seasons, made the Pro Bowl every year, earned eight First-Team All-Pro selections, and won three DPOYs.
The question is whether a 35-year-old who has not played an NFL snap in more than two years can immediately resemble that player again.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.