Chairshot NFL News Report: Aaron Donald Comeback Watch, Matt Miller Leave & Derek Carr Interest

Aaron Donald fuels Rams comeback talk, Matt Miller steps away from ESPN, Derek Carr says teams reached out, and Colts QB Daniel Jones is cleared.

Welcome to The Chairshot NFL News Morning Report, bringing you the biggest NFL stories, media notes, transactions, and team updates from the past 24 hours. Today’s report starts with Aaron Donald fueling comeback speculation at the Rams’ facility, then moves through Matt Miller stepping away from ESPN, Derek Carr admitting teams have reached out, Daniel Jones’ injury recovery, Cowboys workout notes, and Chicago completing its draft class.

Aaron Donald Works Out At Rams Facility, Fuels Comeback Talk

Aaron Donald’s potential NFL return is suddenly a real story again. Days after Donald stirred speculation with a social media comment about a possible comeback, TMZ reported that he was seen working out at the Rams’ practice facility on Friday, doing ladder drills, medicine ball work, and agility training for about an hour. Pro Football Talk noted that the comeback speculation had already picked up after the Rams traded for Myles Garrett last month, and Donald being back on the field at the team facility is not going to quiet that down.

Nothing has been announced, and there is a major difference between working out and returning to play in the NFL. But Donald is one of the greatest defensive players in league history, the Rams already look dangerous on paper, and even a limited version of Donald in a defensive rotation would become one of the biggest stories of training camp. Until he shuts it down publicly, this is officially worth watching.

Matt Miller Steps Away From ESPN After Serious Accident

ESPN NFL draft analyst Matt Miller announced Friday that he is stepping away indefinitely and being placed on leave from ESPN as he continues recovering from a serious car accident. Miller said the surgery to remove his left arm was successful, that doctors were able to save his left leg through femur and patella surgeries, and that he is stepping away to focus on healing and recovery.

The story has a media angle beyond the medical recovery, as Miller has also faced online complaints connected to fantasy football leagues, paid scouting lessons, and charitable efforts. For now, the human part comes first: Miller is dealing with life-changing injuries, and his ESPN future is paused while he recovers.

Derek Carr Says Multiple Teams Reached Out About Possible Return

Derek Carr is retired, but apparently not forgotten. Carr said on NFL Network that multiple teams reached out to gauge his interest in returning, though he said it would take a special situation and likely a Super Bowl-caliber team needing a quarterback for him to seriously consider playing again. Pro Football Talk also noted that Carr was still under contract with the Saints when he retired, meaning any team contact would need to be handled carefully under league rules.

This feels more like emergency-quarterback smoke than an actual comeback right now. Still, Carr is 35, says he is still training, and veteran quarterback desperation has a way of changing minds once injuries hit in August and September. He may not be looking to return, but teams clearly know he exists if things go sideways.

Daniel Jones Says He Is Cleared For Colts Training Camp

Daniel Jones says he is cleared to do everything as he prepares for training camp with the Colts. Jones ruptured his right Achilles in December, underwent surgery two days later, and worked his way back to 7-on-7 activity during Indianapolis’ offseason program. He said Friday that he feels good, has hit key rehab milestones, and expects to continue building explosiveness and strength before and during camp.

That matters because Indianapolis needs clarity at quarterback before the season gets moving. Jones completed 68 percent of his passes for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 13 games before the injury last season, so his health is one of the more important camp variables for the Colts.

George Pickens Joins Dak Prescott-Led Cowboys Workouts

George Pickens skipped most of the Cowboys’ voluntary offseason program, but he is getting work in before camp. Clarence Hill of DLLS Sports reported that Pickens is taking part in a Dak Prescott-organized skill-position retreat in Park City, Utah, with CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson, and other key Cowboys players also involved. Pickens signed his franchise tag this offseason, reported to mandatory minicamp, but did not participate in team drills.

For Dallas, this is the kind of small offseason development that actually matters. Pickens does not have a long-term deal, and the Cowboys have reportedly said they do not intend to negotiate one before the July 15 deadline, but his presence with Prescott and the offense points toward him reporting for camp and being part of the plan.

Bears Sign Sam Roush, Complete Draft Class

The Bears have their 2026 draft class signed. Chicago signed third-round tight end Sam Roush to a four-year, $7.35 million deal, completing the team’s rookie signings before training camp. Roush was selected 69th overall out of Stanford, where he made 34 starts, caught 119 passes for 1,201 yards and four touchdowns, and earned second-team All-ACC honors after a career-best senior season.

This is not the biggest headline in the league, but it is useful housekeeping before camp. For a Bears offense that continues building around Ben Johnson’s vision, getting the full draft class signed eliminates one more distraction before the real competition begins.

Transactions And Team Notes

• The Bears signed third-round TE Sam Roush, completing their 2026 draft class.
• Daniel Jones says he is cleared to do everything as Colts training camp approaches.
• George Pickens joined Dak Prescott and Cowboys skill players for a pre-camp workout retreat in Utah.
• Former Lions CB Terrion Arnold, now an unrestricted free agent, is allowed to continue working out for NFL teams while facing felony charges. His agent testified that he worked out for the Texans this week and had another workout scheduled next week, though there was no agreement or contract in place.

Media And Broadcast Note

One of the more interesting media-tech items of the day came from Pro Football Talk, which argued the NFL should study FIFA’s new “Referee View” camera presentation from the World Cup. The AI-stabilized camera technology gives viewers a field-level perspective from the middle of the action, and PFT noted that a similar setup could theoretically be adapted to NFL officials.

Training Camp Watch

There are still no games to preview, so the NFL watch list remains focused on pre-camp movement. The Aaron Donald situation becomes the biggest thing to monitor, followed by whether Derek Carr’s name becomes more than emergency quarterback chatter, whether Jones remains fully cleared once Colts camp begins, and whether Pickens’ pre-camp work with Prescott helps keep the Cowboys’ offense calm before the franchise-tag deadline.

July: no games, no scores, and no standings movement, but still plenty of material: a possible Aaron Donald comeback, a major ESPN personnel story, quarterback comeback talk, injury recovery, contract tension, and training camp housekeeping. The league never really sleeps. Never.