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After weeks of speculation, Aaron Donald has finally decided to come out of retirement and join the Los Angeles Rams in 2026.
Donald originally retired after the 2023 season, which means he missed each of the last two campaigns. However, the Rams have stacked their team this year, which included acquiring reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, and that was enough to lure Donald back.
While the Rams now employ an impressive roster of big names, they were able to fit all of these players under their cap due to the structures of these deals. Donald has only committed for this year, but Los Angeles had the room to add the deal.
Here's a look at Donald's new deal with the Rams.
MORE: Where Aaron Donald fits with Myles Garrett on Rams defense
Aaron Donald contract details
Donald is returning to Rams on a one-year deal worth $20 million, that could rise to $30 million with incentives.
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He’s back: Rams star Aaron Donald is coming out of retirement and returning to the Rams on a one-year, $20M deal that with incentives could be worth up to $30M, per @rapsheet and me.
After two seasons away, Donald now will join forces with Myles Garrett, giving the… pic.twitter.com/LO2SoKHFwG
The deal is a step down from what Donald was set to make the year he retired, as his previous contract had an annual average value of $30 million. Additionally, the $20 million will tie him for 20th this year in annual average value among defensive tackles, putting him in like with 49ers defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa.
Rams cap space
Prior to signing Donald, the Rams had around $16.7 million in cap space, which was enough to get Donald back from retirement. Los Angeles made sure to negotiate the deal to fit under the cap, which will make Donald one of the highest-paid players on the team.
Matthew Stafford, Davante Adams and Alaric Jackson were the only players on the roster with a cap hit of over $20 million entering the season. Depending on how Donald's contract is structured, he could join them or he could be like Myles Garrett, whose cap hit is around $8 million despite making $41.6 million a year.
Aaron Donald career earnings
When Donald retired, he had made $157 million in 10 seasons in the NFL. That included three different contracts: a rookie deal worth $10.1 million, a large contract extension worth $135 million, and part of a three-year deal worth $95 million.
Once he plays this season, Donald's career earnings will increase to $177 million, with a chance to get that number up to $188 million.
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