Braden Fiske was selected by the Los Angeles Rams as the second piece to usher in the post-Aaron Donald era. After Donald’s retirement, the Rams immediately invested premium draft capital in rebuilding the defensive line, pairing Fiske with Kobie Turner as two of the franchise’s foundational interior defenders. But what if that transition never truly happened? What if Donald decides to return for this season?
While the possibility still remains, it raises an intriguing question: would Braden Fiske
welcome the opportunity to play alongside arguably the greatest defensive tackle in NFL history, or would he seek a trade if it significantly reduced his role?
There are compelling arguments on both sides.
Why a trade request won’t happen…
The most obvious reason is also the simplest: very few young defensive tackles would pass up the opportunity to learn from Aaron Donald.
Donald wasn’t just an elite player—he redefined what the position could be. His preparation, practice habits, hand usage, leverage, conditioning, and relentless pursuit of perfection have been praised by teammates and opponents throughout his career. For a player entering just his third NFL season, spending every day alongside Donald could accelerate Fiske’s development more than any amount of playing time elsewhere.
Even if Donald reclaimed a starring role, Fiske would still benefit from seeing firsthand how the future Hall of Famer studies film, prepares during the week, and attacks offensive linemen on Sundays. That type of mentorship cannot be replicated.
The other reason is that the Rams suddenly have one of the deepest defensive fronts in football with Donald, Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, and Poona Ford. Rather than forcing someone into a reserve role, defensive coordinator Chris Shula could become more creative with his personnel packages.
The Rams could frequently deploy four defensive tackles across the line against run-oriented offenses. Turner has already shown enough athleticism to align at multiple spots, while Donald has historically played anywhere from defensive tackle to defensive end depending on the matchup. Fiske’s motor and versatility also make him capable of handling multiple alignments.
Instead of taking snaps away from one another, the Rams could simply rotate four starting-caliber defensive tackles throughout the game, keeping everyone fresh over a 17-game season. Considering how physically demanding the position has become, reducing individual snap counts may actually improve overall production while limiting injuries.
If the Rams successfully expanded their defensive packages, Fiske could still receive plenty of meaningful snaps while simultaneously learning from Donald.
Why a trade request could happen…
The opposite scenario is just as realistic.
If the Rams continue operating primarily out of the same base and nickel defenses they used last season, someone has to leave the field.
Donald, Garret, Young, and Turner would likely be locked into starting roles. Poona Ford was signed to stabilize the run defense and has proven himself as one of the league’s better interior run defenders. That leaves Fiske potentially becoming the odd man out despite being one of the organization’s recent premium draft investments.
For a young player still trying to establish himself, losing hundreds of defensive snaps could significantly impact his development and future earning potential.
NFL players understand that production leads to contracts.
Heading into what would eventually become Year 3, Fiske could begin looking around the league and realize another franchise may be willing to make him a full-time starter. Rather than serving as a rotational piece behind one of the greatest defensive lines ever assembled, he could maximize his value elsewhere before becoming extension-eligible.
That doesn’t necessarily mean Fiske would be unhappy with the Rams. It simply reflects the business side of the NFL. Players entering their prime often prioritize opportunities to prove they can handle every-down responsibilities, especially before negotiating a second contract.
If Los Angeles isn’t willing to adjust its defensive structure to maximize all four interior defenders, requesting a trade could become a logical career decision rather than an emotional one.
Verdict
Whether Braden Fiske would request a trade ultimately comes down to one question: How much would Aaron Donald’s return impact Braden Fiske’s role?
If the Rams evolve their defense to consistently feature Donald, Turner, Fiske, and Ford together while maintaining meaningful playing time for all four, there may not be a better environment for Fiske’s long-term growth. Learning from Donald while competing on a championship-caliber defensive line could be the ideal situation.
However, if Donald’s return simply pushes Fiske to the sideline in traditional personnel groupings, the conversation changes dramatically. A talented young defensive tackle with starting potential may eventually decide that the best way to maximize his career is somewhere that offers both opportunity and snaps.
My prediction is that Braden Fiske stays with the Rams. Donald’s return would likely only be for one year. Fiske still has two years remaining on his rookie contract. They can’t afford to part with Fiske without receiving plenty of compensation. Doing so would leave a significant void at the defensive tackle position in 2027.
