Photo Credit: AP Photo/Bryan Woolston
Will Aaron Donald Return to the NFL This Season? Odds Point to Yes
Odds for Aaron Donald to Return
The favorites to win the Super Bowl in the 2026-27 season may get even scarier. DraftKings Sportsbook currently has the Los Angeles Rams with +550 odds to win it all, and that is before the potential return of Aaron Donald. If Donald does decide to come out of retirement and rejoin his former team, expect those odds to become even shorter.
The Rams are going all-in to win this season after trading for Myles Garrett, who may be the best player in the NFL. What better way would the team have to complement that move than bringing back one of the best defensive players of all time to play alongside Garrett?
It's only a matter of will to play for Donald. He tested out his readiness with a workout for the Rams and will now take his time to make a decision. According to a market on Kalshi, the majority expect that Donald will suit up again this season.
| Yes | 78% |
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| No | 22% |
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The Kalshi odds reflect whether traders expect Donald to play this season. The current odds are based on the money backing each outcome, with the market showing strong confidence that his retirement will end after two years.
Donald has a 78% chance of playing this season according to the market, compared to just a 22% chance that he remains retired. That is a strong lean toward a comeback, but Donald still has to decide whether pursuing another Super Bowl is worth returning to the demands of an NFL season.
The Case for YES
Donald stepped away following the 2023 season after putting together one of the most decorated careers of any defensive player in NFL history:
- 10 Pro Bowl selections in 10 seasons
- Eight First-Team All-Pro selections
- Three Defensive Player of the Year awards
- One Super Bowl championship
Unlike many retired players connected to comeback rumors, Donald does not have many questions surrounding his physical readiness. He may be the most physically fit defensive lineman the NFL has ever seen, and he has routinely shown off his incredible physique since retiring.
His résumé already speaks for itself, but another championship could strengthen his case as the greatest defensive player of all time. Los Angeles was his home for his entire career, and the Rams are in a better position than ever to make another Super Bowl run. The chance to pursue another ring alongside Myles Garrett, without needing to carry the defense himself, has to be tempting.
Donald could also return with relatively little pressure on his shoulders. The Rams could limit his snaps, keep him fresh for the postseason, and still benefit greatly from his presence. Even in a reduced role, he would be a welcome addition to the Super Bowl favorites.
The Case for NO
Donald has nothing left to prove. He is already a guaranteed first-ballot Hall of Famer with a Super Bowl ring and one of the best résumés ever assembled by a defensive player. Returning would mean putting his body through another NFL season with little left to add to his legacy.
There is also no real blueprint for a successful comeback after this much time away. Donald has not played since January 2024, and staying in great shape is not the same as preparing for the physical demands of playing on the defensive line.
The money could create another obstacle. Donald would likely expect to be paid like an impact player, while the Rams may hesitate to make a major financial commitment to a 35-year-old who has been retired for more than two years. Unless both sides are willing to compromise, a reunion may make more sense in theory than it does on paper.
As a 49ers fan, I would love to pick NO for this market. However, that is my heart and not my brain talking. I think it's more likely than not that Aaron Donald will play at some point this season.
The main factor that swings my choice is the fact that to settle as YES, Donald can appear at any time during the season, including the preseason or postseason. I could see him potentially playing in the preseason and then deciding it isn't for him, or coming back just for the playoffs.
During the Rams' last Super Bowl run, they signed Safety Eric Weddle just for the playoffs. Weddle had been retired for 2 seasons before that signing. I wouldn't be surprised to see a similar situation for the Rams and Donald, especially if they have some injuries during the season.
This is a straightforward YES or NO market, but the exact wording is important. For the market to settle as YES, Aaron Donald must play at least one snap in a professional football game during the 2026-27 season. Preseason, regular-season, and playoff games all count.
Donald does not necessarily have to return to the Rams for YES to win (even though that is expectedly the only team he would sign with). If he signs with any professional team covered by the market and records a snap, it would still settle as YES. A contract signing, workout, or announcement alone would not be enough. He must appear in a game.
Sports have always been a major part of Jake's life. His love for sports naturally led to a passion for sports betting, which he's been doing for 8 years. Jake holds a degree in writing from Oregon State and a journalism certificate from Palomar College. His goal has always been sports journalism, and writing in the sports betting industry allows me to combine my skills and interests.
