The Los Angeles Rams and their staff made moves for Trent McDuffie, Myles Garrett and more because it was what they thought were the best moves for the team. They apparently did not make these moves thinking Aaron Donald would come out of retirement to join a “super team”. That was an added bonus and a welcomed surprise.
Now, for the past few months and weeks, yes, it was known that AD may be making a comeback, but when the Rams made their initial offseason moves back in the Winter/Spring, Donald
was not part of the plan. Donald was happily retired.
Once the door opened even a little for AD to make a return, conversations were had, plans were made and actions was taken by L.A. and Donald.
Maybe it’s all a lie, and Donald has been orchestrating L.A.‘s offseason this whole time, crafting the team he wanted to play with whether they win it all or not. However, according to the Rams, this all just happened. Funny how life works out sometimes.
Trent McDuffie never imagined playing with Myles Garrett, Aaron Donald: ‘Would’ve said you’re lying’ (nfl.com)
“A stunning trio of moves that McDuffie would never have predicted.
“I probably would’ve said you’re lying, for real,” McDuffie told Andrew Siciliano during an interview that will air during Tuesday’s “The NFL Report”, which streams at 7 p.m. ET on NFL Channel.
“There’s no way you can get me. There’s no way you can get Myles. There’s no way you can get A.D. But, hey, hat off to (general manager) Les [Snead]. Hat off to (head coach) Sean [McVay]. Those guys are masterminds and they did it.”
Aaron Donald’s absence from Monday’s practice “part of the plan all along” (sports.yah00)
“I wouldn’t rule anything out yet,” McVay said, via the team’s website. “Sometimes when you put unnecessary parameters or guidelines on something, you can skew things. But what I think what’s really good for us is if he’s able to go, great, if not, that’s kind of how we’ve been operating as is, and guys have done an excellent job of being able to do some really cool stuff in the meantime. So, if he’s not ready, and that’s not what’s best for him and for the team, (we) absolutely wouldn’t have him play in Australia.”
Donald’s participation as well as that of defensive end Myles Garrett will continue to be closely monitored as the football world waits to find out when we’ll see the duo on the field at the same time.“
Rams sign 17 players to initial 2026 practice squad (therams.com)
“WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — The Rams have signed 17 players to their initial practice squad on Monday for the 2026 season following the announcement of their initial 53-man roster on Sunday, utilizing the 17th spot for an international player. Here is Los Angeles’ initial practice squad:”
Aaron Donald’s Los Angeles Rams return creates the NFL’s most fascinating experiment, potentially ever (atozsports)
“The conversation around Donald’s return inevitably gravitates toward percentages. If he is only 60% of what he once was, how useful is that version of the player? The answer depends entirely on what baseline you are measuring against.
Here is where the Rams’ roster construction changes the equation. For the first time in Aaron Donald’s football career, dating back to his days at Pittsburgh and through his entire tenure with the Rams, he will not be the primary target of opposing offensive lines.“
Rams linebackers have an opportunity to prove themselves with all eyes watching (ramblinfan)
“That gives LA’s linebackers an opportunity, though. Led by Nate Landman and Omar Speights, the group has an open invitation to take their game to another level, proving to the NFL world that they are far from a weak link.
Both Landman and Speights became full-time starters last season, and they are reprising those roles in 2026. Landman proved to be a high-value free-agent signing a year ago, having a career campaign with 132 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and one interception. Speights, a 2024 undrafted signee, added 85 tackles.“
Rams believe in Aaron Donald because they’ve seen this story before (ramblinfan)
“Forget what you think you know about the former All-Pro defensive tackle. He doesn’t need to reinstate his prime. Donald merely has to be in the right position to make plays to help the Rams win games.
Rams know what Aaron Donald is capable of, and so does he
He overcame size concerns to dominate. Draft analysts were brutally harsh in writing up Donald’s profile. Noting his size and weight (just under 6-foot-1 and 285 pounds), they waved off general managers with catch phrases like ‘undersized’ and ‘overpowered’. And yet, Rams GM Les Snead took him with the 13th pick in 2014.“
Fans had jokes about the Rams naming way too many captains (larrybrownsports)
“Fans couldn’t help but laugh at the Rams handing out captaincy like cars on that one episode of Oprah. One fan hilariously compared it to a bride being indecisive about which of her friends to name as bridesmaids.”
Super Bowl Odds for Every NFL Team in 2026 Season (Rams Enter as Favorites, 14 Teams 20/1 or Better) (si.com)
“Last year’s champions – the Seattle Seahawks – are fourth in the odds to win the Super Bowl (+1100), a sign that oddsmakers expect a big season once again from Sam Darnold and Co. Seattle doesn’t have the best odds to win the Super Bowl in its own division, though, as the Los Angeles Rams (+550) enter the season as the favorite to win Super Bowl LXI.
The Rams made the NFC title game in the 2025 season before they lost to the Seahawks, and they added two defensive superstars in Trent McDuffie and Myles Garrett (the reigning Defensive Player of the Year) to their roster in the offseason. “
Sean McVay, Kobie Turner, Kyren Williams & more Rams players and coaches join fans at this year’s Kickoff for Charity (therams.com)
“Watch a recap of the Los Angeles Rams’ annual Kickoff for Charity event presented by UNIFY Financial Credit Union. Fans watched an exclusive interview between Rams legend Andrew Whitworth and head coach Sean McVay, then met wide receiver Davante Adams, quarterback Matthew Stafford, defensive end Kobie Turner, running back Kyren Williams & more Rams players.”
2026 NFL Preseason Week 3 rookie grades: Ravens punter thriving; did Texans find undrafted gem? (nfl.com)
“NFL rookies had some time to get acclimated to their new cities and teammates. Now, we all get to see how these newcomers handle the best competition they’ve ever faced.
Below, I’ve graded the performance of one rookie from each of the past week’s 16 preseason contests. Some of these players are well-known to football fans, while others are trying to make names for themselves on the professional gridiron.
These evaluations are not predictions of how players will fare in this upcoming season, nor are they long-term career projections. Each mark simply takes stock of how the rookie played in Week 3 of the 2026 preseason.“
Comment of the Day:
“Joe Milton was cut by the Cowboys. One of our posters said over and over that we should’ve drafted him because “arm talent is important”. Well, it is, but it’s also important to be a good QB, and Milton ain’t. A good arm is only half the battle….maybe even less. Accuracy, being pocket aware, not locking on to your #1 target, not always throwing rockets….all of these are equally important.“ -JeffinBranson
