The Los Angeles Rams have spent the offseason assembling one of the most imposing defensive rosters in recent NFL history, and now the possibility of adding Aaron Donald to the mix has sent expectations into overdrive. The team’s front office and coaching staff have reportedly remained optimistic that Donald, who retired after the 2022 season, may decide to return. But that optimism has done little to quiet the debate over just how high the bar has been set. Los Angeles before he ever arrived in Los Angeles.
Then the Rams landed Garrett, and the expectations grew even louder. Now, with Donald potentially returning, the conversation has shifted from whether the Rams can contend to whether anything short of a Super Bowl appearance would be a disappointment. Donald has yet to make a decision, and Sean McVay has said he does not expect the former Defensive Player of the Year to decide until after the team returns to its facility on August 8th. The head coach noted last weekend that things are going in the right direction and trending upward.
General Manager Les Snead has also shared some insight into Donald’s preparation, saying the veteran has ramped up his workouts with more back-to-back days and higher-intensity sessions as he tests whether his body can withstand another NFL season at his accustomed level. According to Snead, Donald wants to return as the same dominant player he was, not as a ceremonial figure along the defensive line beside Garrett. The playerst have been in contact with Donald, and several have expressed excitement about the possibility of his return. Still, the team has reportedly stressed that if Donald stays retired, they feel confident in the defense they have already built.
That defense now includes Garrett, cornerback Trent McDuffie, and safety Jaylen Watson, pieces that have already made offenses take notice during training camp in Los Angeles earlier this week. During one practice, Rams offensive lineman Kevin Dotson offered a glimpse into what it is like to face Garrett, explaining that the first thing everyone does after breaking the huddle is locate where Garrett is on the field. According to Dotson, if you cannot find him, you cannot organize anything else, and he noted there are not many players in the league who force an offense to change its game plan just to block one individual. When asked who else fits that description, Dotson answered without hesitation: Aaron Donald.
There has also been team personnel reportedly saying Garrett has been even more impressive than expected during camp, though Garrett has since dealt with reported soreness in his lower half. Even with that concern, the excitement around the defense remains high. Critics have pointed out that the Rams still have questions to answer, including health concerns around quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Davante Adams, along with uncertainty at linebacker. Supporters counter that every contending team has flaws, but few can boast a defensive front that can pressure quarterbacks from multiple angles the way Los Angeles now can.
For now, all eyes remain on Donald and whether he will decide to put the helmet back on. A decision that, either way, will shape how the Rams’ season is judged before it even beginsытали
