Aaron Donald walked away from the NFL at the top of his game, leaving fans wondering if they had truly seen the last of one of the greatest defensive players to ever grace the league. More than two years later, whispers of a comeback are getting louder, and one of the league’s biggest stars believes Donald could still wreak havoc if he returns.
Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby isn’t just entertaining the idea; he’s convinced Donald can still dominate and crush opposing offensive units.
Maxx Crosby Backs Aaron Donald’s Comeback BidCrosby gave his opinion on Donald’s potential return and made it clear he has no doubts about what the future Hall of Famer could do if he comes back.
“A.D. can play right now. If he comes back, he’s going to make Top 100 again,” Crosby said.
Donald retired in March 2024 after 10 incredible seasons with the Rams. During that time, he established himself as one of the most dominant defensive players in NFL history. He won three Defensive Player of the Year awards, a Super Bowl, earned eight First-Team All-Pro selections, and was named to 10 Pro Bowls.
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There’s still no official word on Donald’s return, but his recent workout with the Rams has only added to the growing speculation that he could be preparing for a comeback.
Rams head coach Sean McVay has also remained hopeful about the possibility of getting his former defensive star back.
If he unretires, his prior contract reactivates, meaning Los Angeles may need to adjust his $30 million cap hit.
What Would an Aaron Donald Return Look Like?Even if Donald does return, it may not mean he immediately takes on a full workload.
After spending more than two years away from football, the Rams will look to ease him back into action.
A late-season return could be a big boost for the Rams, as Donald’s power and technique could cause major problems for opposing offensive lines in the playoffs. He would, of course, be paired alongside Myles Garrett on a loaded defensive line.
Retirement may have taken Aaron Donald off the field, but it hasn’t erased the reputation he built during his remarkable career.
Whether he actually returns remains to be seen. But if Crosby is right and Donald decides to put the pads back on, the NFL could be getting one of its most feared defensive players back at a very interesting time.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
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