Speculation is swirling around Aaron Donald after the legendary defensive tackle recently teased a potential return to the gridiron. Following a two-year hiatus, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year hinted at the possibility of coming out of retirement to join forces with Myles Garrett in Los Angeles. However, one of the most celebrated figures in Rams history, Eric Dickerson, believes Donald should leave his pads in the locker room for good.
Dickerson, a Hall of Fame runner and the NFL’s single-season rushing record holder, acknowledged the excitement of a Garrett-Donald pairing but firmly advised against a comeback. While the prospect of those two elite pass rushers terrorizing quarterbacks on the same line is tantalizing, Dickerson maintains that Donald has already cemented his legacy.
Eric Dickerson’s Case for Remaining Retired
When discussing the rumors, Dickerson’s advice to the franchise icon was straightforward: stay retired and enjoy the life earned through a decade of dominance. He emphasized that Donald has nothing left to prove to the football world, having reached the pinnacle of the sport multiple times.
Dickerson highlighted two primary reasons for his stance. First, he pointed to the current strength of the Rams’ roster. Following a season where the team narrowly lost two pivotal matchups against the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, the front office bolstered the defense significantly. By acquiring two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett and former Chiefs All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, the Rams have already built a unit capable of contending for a title without needing a veteran comeback.
The Unmatched Legacy of an Interior Force
The second pillar of Dickerson’s argument is the sheer weight of Donald’s existing accolades. Selected 13th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft, Donald’s 10-year tenure was nothing short of historic. He departed the game as the Rams’ all-time leader in sacks with 111 and earned a Pro Bowl nod in every single season he played. This achievement places him in exclusive company alongside Barry Sanders as one of the few players to go 10-for-10 in Pro Bowl selections to start a career.
Donald’s trophy case also includes nine All-Pro selections and three Defensive Player of the Year awards—a feat shared only by Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt. According to Pro Football Reference’s Hall of Fame Monitor, Donald stands as the highest-rated defensive tackle in NFL history, surpassing legendary names like Bob Lilly, Joe Greene, and Alan Page. With such a pristine resume, the risk of a comeback may outweigh the rewards.
Navigating the History of NFL Comebacks
Returning to the NFL after a multi-year absence is a gamble that has yielded mixed results throughout league history. For every success story, there are cautionary tales. Some icons, such as Reggie White, experienced underwhelming second acts that lacked the spark of their prime years. On the other hand, the precedent for a triumphant return exists; Hall of Famer John Riggins famously came back from retirement to lead Washington to a Super Bowl victory two years later.
For Donald, the question remains whether the itch to compete alongside a talent like Myles Garrett is worth the physical toll and the potential risk to his flawless professional exit. As the Rams prepare for another run at the championship, the shadow of number 99 continues to loom large over Los Angeles.
Final Thoughts on the Aaron Donald Rumors
While the idea of Aaron Donald returning to anchor an already elite Rams defense is a dream scenario for fans, Eric Dickerson’s perspective serves as a reminder of the “nothing left to prove” reality. Donald’s career was defined by unmatched consistency and record-breaking production. Whether he chooses to stay retired or attempts one final run with a star-studded Rams lineup, his status as arguably the greatest defensive tackle to ever play the game remains undisputed.
