The most popular player at Rams training camp this year isn’t even on the Rams. It seems like every single day that a new report comes out about Aaron Donald’s return to the Rams, and every single reporter wants his day in the sun. Tuesday was Albert Breer’s turn, saying that he thinks Donald is coming back and will play the entire season.
Not even Matthew Stafford, Myles Garrett, or Puka Nacua is getting this much publicity.
Last week, I posted a training camp survey for Rams fans, asking them over a dozen questions about their opinions and expectations for the team in 2026. Continuing in posting the results of that survey, the name Aaron Donald came up once and the results were not that surprising, but the wording of the question was intentional.
Should the Rams pay Aaron Donald $30 million for 1 season?
Yes – 56.6%
No – 31.1%
I don’t know – 12.3%
As JB Scott wrote last month, there is a “$30 million dilemma” lording over the potential return of Donald. Do the Rams want to continue the contract that he had when he retired, which owed Donald $30 million for one season, or will they only take him back at a discount?
If Donald will only play for at least $30 million, should the Rams pay it?
Over half of you—56.6%—said that they should, that $30 million was practically a bargain for Donald, even if he’s 35 and has taken the last two years off.
12.3% of you were brave enough to admit you didn’t know.
But almost one-third of Rams fans said that the Rams should not pay Donald $30 million, if that’s the price. Two years ago, there was probably no limit to what fans would encourage the Rams to pay Donald if he wouldn’t retire, but times have changed. Now 31.1% say $30 million is too much.
Of course, Donald can play for less. He doesn’t have to demand that much money, although it is his right to, and if he does want to un-retire, he probably doesn’t care about the money anyway.
After all, he walked away from all $30 million two years ago. What does it matter to him if he plays for $20 million? It would be weird to walk away from $30 million and then suddenly require to have it all.
However, that is what could happen.
If it does, one-third of Rams fans think it’s a bad idea.
But almost no Rams fans think trading for Garrett was a bad idea.
Could the trade for Myles Garrett backfire?
No – 74.6%
Yes – 16.4%
I don’t know – 9%
I knew that there was little chance that people would think the Garrett trade could backfire, especially at the price. The Rams only gave up one guaranteed first-round pick and the Browns are forced to pick up the bulk of his tab. Garrett only has an $8 million cap hit in 2026, and $15 million in 2027.
The biggest loss then was probably Jared Verse.
How could the trade backfire?
Well, what if Verse turns out to be even better than anticipated? Verse is five years younger than Garrett and the Rams would have also had that extra first-round pick in 2027.
If Garrett declines in his 30s for any reason, surely Rams fans would agree that there is backfire potential.
But they don’t.
Almost 75% concurred that the trade could NOT backfire, not in any way, shape, or form.
Fewer were sure about the Ty Simpson pick backfiring.
Was Ty Simpson right pick at #13?
Yes – 45.1%
I don’t know – 20.5%
No – 14.8%
Should’ve been Makai Lemon – 10.7%
Should’ve been Rueben Bain – 5.7%
Should’ve been Kenyon Sadiq – 3.3%
That’s 45.1% yes, but 34.4% who either said no or a different player, which is the same as all of them saying no.
Lemon was the most-requested other pick, but it’s tough to say how he’s been progressing because Lemon has had a hamstring injury for most of the offseason.
In any case, only 45% of fans fully support the Ty Simpson draft pick. Imagine if Simpson was more highly regarded as a draft prospect, it’s hard to imagine that the number wouldn’t be much higher in that case.
Given time, Simpson could prove to be an outstanding quarterback for the Rams. Just a few months into his career though, he still has a lot of skeptics. Both nationally and among Rams fans.
Fear not, Ty. Some are even skeptical about a $30 million Aaron Donald.
