Aaron Donald has been retired from the NFL for just over a year, closing the curtain on a legendary career that saw him dominate from his first snap in St. Louis to his final play in Los Angeles. His résumé speaks for itself—10 straight Pro Bowl nods, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, eight first-team All-Pro honors, and a Super Bowl title that helped bring the Rams back to the top for the first time since their “Greatest Show on Turf” days.

But it looks like there might be one name that could pull the future Hall of Famer out of retirement: Micah Parsons. The Dallas Cowboys defensive end, who recently requested a trade out of Dallas, has apparently sparked interest from Donald. When an Instagram edit showed Parsons wearing Rams gear, Donald jumped into the comments and hinted at a possible comeback.

“If [Parsons goes] to the Rams I might have to … get in football shape,” Donald wrote. “Wit that Dline would be unreal.”

Parsons immediately reacted, tagging his agent David Mulugheta and responding with excitement: “man!!! Don’t tell me info like that!!”

Parsons pushes for a trade as contract talks collapse

Cowboys' Micah Parsons

Parsons has been absent from Cowboys training camp as tensions rise between him and team ownership over contract negotiations. After months of back-and-forth without resolution, the four-time Pro Bowler finally made his stance public with a message posted to X.

“I no longer want to play for the Dallas Cowboys,” Parsons said. “My trade request has been submitted to Stephen Jones personally. … I did everything I could to show that I wanted to be a Cowboy and wear the star on my helmet. I wanted to play in front of the best fans in sports and make this Americas team once again. … Unfortunately I no longer want to be here.”

The statement marks a major shift for the Cowboys defense, and it’s prompted speculation about which team might make a move for Parsons. The Rams, already known for bold front office decisions, could potentially explore a blockbuster trade if they believe Parsons could tip the balance toward another championship run.

Could the Rams bring the Aaron Donald back?

Right now, it’s unclear whether Los Angeles will pursue the deal. But pairing Parsons with Jared Verse and a reactivated Aaron Donald would create one of the most feared defensive fronts in the league. That kind of firepower could shift the NFC playoff picture dramatically heading into the 2025 season.

The ball is in the Rams’ court. Whether they entertain the idea of landing Parsons or stay the course with their current roster, Donald’s playful comment adds some heat to the offseason. If the team wants to go all-in again, they might just call his bluff—and see if he’s really ready to suit up one more time.