NFL legend Aaron Donald is back. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year retired after the 2023 season, stating he got everything from football that he wanted, but with the oppertunity to play on a star-studded defense, Donald is set to put the pads back on.
Here are three observations from Donald's decision.
Donald doesn't need to be what he wants to be what Rams need
We have no idea what Donald will look like when he takes the field for the Rams this season, but in the end, it doesn't even matter. The Rams failed in the postseason last year, not because of a lack of talent, but it was due to a lack of maturity, especially on that side of the ball. Donald upholds the standard, he knows how to win a championship, and his work ethic will be the gleam the team needs to pursue championship glory.
The
team will manage his snaps and usage, but his influence will amplify the defense's overall ability, regardless of whether he's on the field or not.
McDuffie DPOTY candidate?
A two-time All-Pro and two-time Super Bowl champion, Trent McDuffie is already one of the best players in the NFL and due to his versatility and natural read of the game, McDuffie could become a player who freelances. He has the calmness of Quentin Lake and Kam Curl in the secondary to go off-script based on what the offense presents pre-snap.
On top of that, the aggressive Kam Kinchens has improved tremendously, ensuring the secondary plays with the right pace at the right moments to take calculated risks. With Donald now in the mix, the Rams have the force on the defensive line to collapse the pocket quickly, forcing play callers to scheme up quick passes.
Considering defensive coordinator Chris Shula loves to mix and mirror defensive looks, often changing the picture post-snap, McDuffie should be making plays on the ball, and considering his talent, should be the league's top defensive back candidate for the award.
Shula has no excuse
Not that he's ever really needed one, considering his units have often outproduced their perceived talent value during Chris Shula's two years as defensive coordinator, but the main issue in his play-calling career was learning how to operate the defense without Donald.
That issue doesn't exist anymore. None of the issues from 2024 and 2025 are prevalent. Shula has no excuse; he must deliver. Considering his history, we could be on the verge of Shula becoming a beloved name around the league once again. His grandfather had the "no-name" defense. Now, the grandson has the "gold-jacket" defense.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 3 takeaways from Aaron Donald's return to Rams
