LOS ANGELES (AP) 鈥� When Sean McVay was asked about Aaron Donald during Myles Garrett鈥檚 introductory news conference with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday, the coach gave no indication Donald would make the decision to return 鈥� but he didn鈥檛 exactly tamp down the speculation, either.
鈥淎aron is a guy that I stay really close in touch with, and I know the respect that he has for Myles,鈥� McVay said. 鈥淭alked to him about the opportunity to be able to bring (Garrett) on board. If Aaron decides he wants to dust them off at the age of 35, I bet you he could still do it at a pretty high clip.鈥�
While the would never close the door on Donald’s possible return to the NFL, McVay confirms it’s entirely up to the superstar defensive tackle to open that door if he wants to play alongside Garrett.
The possibility of Donald’s return from two seasons in retirement became a hot topic almost immediately after Monday to acquire Garrett from the Cleveland Browns. Now 35 years old, after a prolific 10-year career spent entirely with the Rams.
ESPN personality Pat McAfee stoked the idea on Tuesday when he said he had texted about a comeback with Donald. McAfee said Donald told him that Garrett鈥檚 arrival in LA 鈥渇or sure got me thinking,鈥� and that he鈥檚 鈥済otta see if that fire can light back up.鈥�
Donald racked up eight All-Pro selections, 10 Pro Bowl nods, three AP Defensive Player of the Year awards and a Super Bowl ring during 10 seasons in St. Louis and Los Angeles. He went out near the top of his game with a franchise-record 111 sacks as the NFL’s best interior pass rusher, saying he was ready to step back from the daily grind required to maintain that level of play.
But because Donald retired at a relatively young age for defensive linemen, his possible return has been in Los Angeles, where the Pittsburgh native still spends most of his time with his family. Rams fans openly pined for his return last season while the team appeared capable of making a second Super Bowl run, but Donald resisted the lure.
Donald even worked out with the first-round pick and rising star edge rusher who was traded to Cleveland along with three high draft picks. The Rams gave up a fortune to get Garrett, the two-time AP Defensive Player of the Year and one of Donald’s very few peers in the 21st century.
Garrett has previously spoken of his respect for Donald’s game, and the Rams’ new superstar nodded along Tuesday while McVay praised Donald.
The Rams’ defensive line is already strong, with Garrett joining 12-sack edge rusher Byron Young and strong interior linemen Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske and Poona Ford. Garrett has already secured his No. 95 jersey from Ford, who wore it with the Rams last season.
鈥淭here was a conversation,鈥� Garrett said with a laugh.
鈥淎 conversation and a couple of bucks?鈥� McVay interjected.
鈥淢aybe more than a couple of bucks,鈥� Garrett said with a laugh. 鈥淗e was open to it.鈥�
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