The Arizona Cardinals already have enough to worry about in the NFC West. Despite finishing last in the division with a 3-14 record, they still have one of the most demanding 2026 schedules. That's because, well, it doesn't change the fact that they still have to play the rest of their divisional rivals twice a year.
The Seattle Seahawks are looking to defend their crown, the San Francisco 49ers should be healthier, and the Los Angeles Rams somehow now have arguably the best player in the league in Myles Garrett.
Now, Arizona has to worry about the possibility of three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald making a return, too?
Aaron Donald better stay retired for the Cardinals' sake
On Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Donald's comeback at age 35 is a "real possibility" he seems to be exploring. While Donald has kept himself in great shape, reminiscent of myself (kidding), Rapoport notes that he will take this time to evaluate whether he can get back to football shape.
"Football shape is a little bit different, so it certainly sounds like Aaron Donald is going to start working out football-wise and take the next little bit of time to say, 'Can I get in football shape enough to be the Aaron Donald that I was' or the best and closest thing to that when he left the NFL."
Even if he's not the Aaron Donald he once was, the former Rams DT doesn't need to be at 100 percent to make a league-altering impact. Los Angeles may have fallen to Seattle in the playoffs, but it's actually the Rams who are set to enter the season as favorites to win the Super Bowl this time around. Pairing Donald with Garrett would only further separate LA from the rest of the pack.
Besides whether Donald can return fully to form, another thing to consider is that he likely wouldn't return to an every-down role. Rapoport also adds that he'll be more of a "spot guy" for the Rams if he does ultimately make his return.
"There's no real deadline here. I don't believe, based on what I know, that Aaron Donald is going to be showing up for training camp for the Rams. If he does show up, it would probably even be toward the end of training camp and could even be into the season because he's not going to be playing 50 or 60 plays on defense. He'll be more of a spot guy. But yes, Aaron Donald does seem to be exploring this possibility."
There was already a legitimate possibility of the Cardinals going 0-6 in divisional play this season as the disparity between Arizona and the rest of the teams in its stacked division is too much to overcome. Even if he's not the same Donald in terms of football shape or playing an every-down role, the Rams don't need him to be to give their defense a huge lift.
This return would increase the odds of the NFC West being represented at the Super Bowl yet again. But for the Cardinals, it means another step toward looking ahead to a top pick in 2027.
Add us as a preferred source on Google