3 Reasons Aaron Donald’s Return Raises the Rams’ Super Bowl Ceiling
Aaron Donald signed a one-year $20 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Rams.
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Aaron Donald (Image via IMAGO)
Aaron Donald is coming out of retirement to re-sign with the Los Angeles Rams. Donald reportedly agreed to a one-year $20 million contract extension. He could earn up to $30 million, including incentives.
Donald teased a return throughout the offseason. The veteran defensive tackle attended Rams practices to gauge whether his body could keep up with NFL-caliber training. Head coach Sean McVay left the final decision on the 3x defensive Player of the Year, but sounded confident about Donald’s return every time reporters asked him.
Donald last played competitive football in the 2023 season. When asked why he retired, Donald said he had achieved everything he dreamt of. He won a Super Bowl and had a Hall of Fame career.
But he practiced with intent days leading up to the Rams finally making his return official on the roster lock-down day.
It felt good to be back around the guys.
Aaron Donald said in Sunday’s presser
Aaron Donald brings years of experience
The Rams drafted Donald 13th overall when the team still operated from St. Louis. He stayed with the club even after its relocation to LA. Donald made 154 appearances during his first stint. He combined for 543 tackles, 111 sacks, 176 TFLs, and 24 forced fumbles. Donald earned 8 First Team All-Pro and 10 Pro Bowl selections. In 2018, he had 20.5 sacks and 25 TFLs.
Donald knows McVay’s system like the back of his hand. So, it shouldn’t take him long to get back to game speed.
[Aaron Donald’s] one of one… I think he wanted to get to a point where he knows just from his previous experiences, alright, I want to be able to be there, be a part of the football team, and I think there were some things that he wanted to be able to work through—just in terms of his workouts and where he felt his body was before he could comfortably get to this spot.
Sean McVay said during Sunday’s press conference
Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett make the Rams defense number one in the league
Good offense wins games, but a good defense wins championships. That’s the common theme of every championship-winning team over the years. Bill Belichick would let Tom Brady handle the offense while he put together a strong defense year in and year out. Even Seattle last year boasted a top 5 defense and Philadelphia a year before that.
The Rams have always believed in this philosophy. So, bringing Aaron Donald back from retirement was a no-brainer, given that he’s still in peak condition.
The Rams strengthened the roster earlier in the year by trading for reigning DPOY Myles Garrett. They also traded two-time Super Bowl-winning DB Trent McDuffie and signed Jaylen Watson. Sure, Jared Verse left the building, but now Donald can fill in when required.
The Los Angeles Rams are going all in for the 2026 Super Bowl
Donald is a luxury player. The Rams are probably the only team that had the privilege of calling back a player of Donald’s caliber, despite his age, to climb the odds in the championship race. It reflects the Rams’ intent about going all in for the prize.
I think this is a complete team with me here or without me here. For me to even have the opportunity to be a part of this, be with this team, I take nothing for granted.
Aaron Donald said on his re-introduction
The Rams need all the help that they can get because they have a very tough Schedule. After returning from Australia for the opening fixture, LA plays the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals (twice), Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks (twice), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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Ishan Misra
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