Aaron Donald Says He Was Ready to Play Again During NFC Championship.

Former Los Angeles Rams defensive star Aaron Donald revealed that watching the NFC Championship Game from the sidelines nearly pulled him back into competition. Although officially retired since 2023, Donald attended the game as the Rams’ honorary captain and admitted the atmosphere reignited familiar emotions from his playing days. During an appearance on The Inner Circle podcast, Donald explained that standing on the field during pregame ceremonies brought back the adrenaline he once felt before kickoff. He said the emotions became so intense that he believed he could have played if the team had asked him to suit up for the fourth quarter. Donald described feeling energized and unstoppable, saying the excitement made it impossible for him to stay still. Even after two seasons away from football, the competitive fire had not faded. He joked that if given the opportunity to help close out the game, he would have taken the field without hesitation. The former All-Pro also admitted he missed the physicality of the sport. He described the rush of wanting to make contact again, noting that the nerves, butterflies, and intensity reminded him of why he loved playing. Despite the intensity of those feelings, Donald emphasized that the experience was more nostalgic than a sign of a return.

The Rams struggled defensively in the matchup, allowing 31 points and having difficulty slowing down Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold. Donald acknowledged that his presence could have made a difference, particularly on Seattle’s final drive that sealed the outcome of the game. While Donald has been clear that he does not plan to return to the NFL, moments like this suggest his passion for the game remains strong. Though retirement has not diminished his love for football, it appears the legendary defensive lineman is content reliving those moments from the sidelines rather than returning to the field.