Myles Garrett says Rams pairing with Aaron Donald “can do great things” if the Hall of Famer returns

Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Myles Garrett said he can envision the impact of a potential Aaron Donald return to the NFL, even as he stressed he is not trying to push the retired star back into the league. Speaking Wednesday, Garrett framed the idea as a natural fit on the Rams’ defensive line, describing a combination he believes could elevate the unit’s ceiling. The comments were reported by ESPN and circulated by Yahoo Sports.

Garrett’s position matters because he is the type of player who often defines an entire pass rush approach. When Garrett is on the field, opponents have to account for his ability to win one-on-one matchups and still contribute in the run game. That profile is part of why the concept of teaming him with Donald resonates. Donald’s reputation has been tied to relentless pressure, disruptive interior play, and the ability to affect plays even when they are not directly tied to the stat line.

In Garrett’s telling, the point is not merely star power. He suggested that the Rams could build something functional and productive around the pairing, and he used language indicating optimism about what the defense could become if both players were on the roster. As reported, Garrett said “I think we can do great things,” reflecting his belief that the matchup between their skill sets could translate into consistent results.

At the same time, Garrett made clear he is not the one driving Donald’s decision. The distinction is important. Donald has been away from the league, and any return would be a personal choice as much as an organizational one. Garrett said he would not push the idea in that direction, which indicates that his comments were meant to acknowledge the potential rather than imply that a reunion is in motion.

For the Rams, the idea of a combined front would address a practical need: pressure that starts up front and forces offensive planning to change weekly. Even without inventing specific details about personnel or roster moves, a defensive line that blends a premier edge rusher’s variety with Donald’s interior disruption would change how offenses block and where they are willing to run. That kind of shift can also influence secondary play, because quarterbacks are more likely to throw off rhythm when the pocket is compromised quickly.

The challenge is that the NFL does not run on hypotheticals. A Donald return, if it ever happens, would require clarity from the player and coordination across the team’s plans. Garrett’s remarks, therefore, read as an acknowledgement of what could be possible rather than confirmation of a transaction, a timetable, or a roster outcome.

Still, the comments provide a window into how Garrett views the Rams’ defensive construction. For fans and evaluators, the simplest takeaway is that Garrett believes the Rams could maximize their pass rush identity around a star-level interior and edge combination, rather than relying on one component alone. If the league ever sees Donald back on a practice field and into preseason game action, it would become one of the most significant defensive storylines of the offseason period, and Garrett’s public enthusiasm would explain why.