Aaron Donald has multiple return timelines despite Adam Schefters latest report

As speculation surrounding a potential Aaron Donald return continues to build, NFL insider Adam Schefter believes the future Hall of Famer faces a pivotal decision before the Rams report to training camp.“It’s pretty simple,” Schefter said.“Aaron Donald has to make a decision before training camp about whether he’s willing to return to the Rams.”For most retired players, that timeline would make sense.

Aaron Donald, however, is decidedly not most retired players.Not only did Donald retire while still performing at an elite level, but his relationship with the organization that drafted him remains as strong as ever.“The Rams can certainly make [his return to play] appealing,” Schefter said.“Where else is he going to be this appreciated, this celebrated, this wanted?”If Donald ultimately decides he wants one more shot at a Super Bowl alongside newly acquired pass-rusher Myles Garrett, Los Angeles would likely leave the door open for multiple return scenarios.The most straightforward option would be joining the team before training camp.

That would allow Donald to go through conditioning, reacclimate himself to football activities and ramp up alongside the rest of the roster ahead of Week 1.A second possibility would be returning closer to the start of the regular season.Donald has remained in exceptional shape throughout retirement, and the Rams have never been a franchise overly concerned with traditional offseason timelines.

A short ramp-up period in August or September would not be difficult to envision.Then there is the most intriguing possibility: an NFL version of the old “Roger Clemens return.”The former MLB star became famous for joining contenders well into the season, preserving his body for the stretch run.Donald could theoretically follow a similar blueprint.

Assuming the Rams remain in contention, he could stay retired through much of the season before joining the team in November, December or even shortly before a playoff push...