San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle makes his plea to former Los Angeles Rams superstar Aaron Donald about his potential return.
The buzz surrounding the potential return of former Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald continues to generate plenty of discussion as the 2026 season approaches.
With training camp less than a month away, it’s still unclear whether or not Donald will return to the NFL and don the blue and gold. In the meantime, fans, the media, and even other NFL players are talking about it, including San Francisco 49ers superstar tight end George Kittle.
On a recent appearance on "The New Heights Podcast" with Jason and Travis Kelce, Kittle pleaded with Donald not to return to football.
"My only message is really, 'Hey, Aaron. You’re enjoying retirement. You’re fantastic. You had a great career. You won your Super Bowl. You’re one of the best defensive players of all time. Just, you’re good, man. You’re great. Keep working out, hanging out with your family. You’re incredible. Don’t do it. Don’t do it,'" Kittle said.
Kittle is familiar with the Rams and the force that was Donald.
It’s all Kittle knew since making his way to the league in 2017. Kittle faced Donald for the first seven years of his career, and there wasn't one time when the defensive tackle did not make an impact.
The 32-year-old went on to say how his teams prepared in stopping Donald and how all the attention needed to go his way, because if it didn’t, the opposing offenses would be in big trouble.
Donald, 35, retired two seasons ago after 10 seasons in the NFL. He spent his entire career with the Rams, compiling a future Hall of Fame career.
Donald's potential return to the field would be a problem for the rest of the NFL and a wonder for the Rams. Not only would they embrace him with open arms, but he would also join arguably the best player in football, defensive end Myles Garrett.
The Rams' defense, which is already projected to be an elite unit, would enter a new level if Donald were to unretire.
Garrett and Donald would wreak havoc on their opponents, but especially Kittle and the 49ers, who they play twice a season as members of the NFC West.
The Rams have high hopes this season, and so do the 49ers, who endured a season riddled with injuries in 2025.
If both the Los Angeles and the San Francisco can stay healthy, their matchups should be must-watch games, with significant implications for both the NFC West race and the playoff picture.
