Cowboys Legend Wants NFL to “Step In” And Stop Aaron Donald From Coming Out of Retirement After Myles Garrett Trade

Cowboys legendary WR Michael Irvin believes the Aaron Donald coming out of retirement buzz has zero merit and if he does decide to unretire, the NFL should intervene.

Cowboys Legend Wants NFL to “Step In” And Stop Aaron Donald From Coming Out of Retirement After Myles Garrett Trade

Aaron Donald and Michael Irvin inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/YouTube)

Aaron Donald took his final few snaps during the Los Angeles Rams’ wild-card exit against the Lions in the 2023-24 season. He retired from the game not long after, confiding that he had nothing else left to achieve in the game. Then why all of a sudden, NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin is preaching to the league to make sure Donald stays retired?

The answer lies in the incident that transpired over the last ten days. Donald’s former team, the Los Angeles Rams, traded for the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, from the Cleveland Browns. With the addition of Garrett, the Rams are betting favorites to win Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium next February.

The Rams fans aren’t satisfied; they want Donald to come out of retirement and line up next to Garrett, Kobie Turner, and Poona Ford to boost the Super Bowl chances even more. Irvin, a three-time Super Bowl winner with the Dallas Cowboys, is against it.

People talking about Aaron Donald thinking about coming back [to the Rams], and we know that’s not real. We just know that’s not real because I would expect the NFL to step in and stop that. You cannot allow Aaron Donald. I don’t care if he’s been off for a few years. I don’t care what you think. You can’t allow Aaron Donald.

Michael Irvin said on his YouTube channel

The Cowboys finished 6-11 last year, missing out on playoff qualification for the second consecutive year. According to FOX Sports, Dallas currently boasts +2200 odds to win the Super Bowl when Donald is still retired. That will definitely push back the Cowboys’ chances if Donald decides to return.

The rumor of Donald’s return started right after the Rams traded for Garrett. They gave away two-time Pro Bowl edge Jared Verse, a first, second, and third draft pick to the Browns. The Rams reworked Garrett’s original contract with the Browns, which he signed before the 2025 season, giving a slight bump in his yearly earnings.

Garrett accumulated 125.5 sacks during his tenure in Cleveland. Last season, he overtook former Giants pass rusher Michael Strahan to become the single-season sack record holder with 23 sacks.

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Rams head coach drops a big hint about Aaron Donald’s return

Donald was the anchor in defense during the Rams’ 2021 Super Bowl-winning team. Five years may have passed, but Donald is familiar with the Rams system, considering that it’s still run by Sean McVay.

Cowboys Legend Wants NFL to "Step In" And Stop Aaron Donald From Coming Out of Retirement After Myles Garrett Trade
Aaron Donald (Image via IMAGO)

In a recent press conference, reporters asked McVay whether there’s a chance of Donald’s comeback.

If he’s interested, there is an opportunity. Aaron’s [Donald] a guy that I stay really close in touch with, and I know the respect that he has for Myles [Garrett].

McVay said via Nick Hamilton of NBCLA

The scary part for the rest of the NFL, especially for the NFC West teams, is that Donald is still only 35, and recent workout videos prove that he’s in peak condition.

Aaron Donald’s wife gets real about his return

Eager LA fans reached out to AD’s wife, Erica Donald, to convince him to play at least one year for the Rams. Erica replied to all the noise on Twitter.

Y’all are hilarious.

Erica wrote

This response doesn’t answer any questions. Rather, it increases everyone’s curiosity. What will Aaron Donald’s next move be? Sure, he hasn’t stepped on a football field for over a year, and the chances of rust settling in are very high. But he’s Aaron Donald, who registered 111 sacks, 543 tackles, 176 tackles for loss, 24 forced fumbles, and 21 PDs during his tenure with the Rams.

His presence in the Rams locker room will only motivate the players to perform at 200%. It will be great for LA, not so much for Irvin and his Cowboys.

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