The Los Angeles Rams are set to play the New York Giants this week on Monday Night Football, with the two sides trending in unexpected directions. The Rams were considered a championship favorite, but after a rough debut, many are wondering just how good the team is – especially now that they're without Myles Garrett for the foreseeable future.
At the same time, the Giants are trending upwards after a physical victory over the Dallas Cowboys, where they beat down the opposition. With such a challenge, Los Angeles learned some positive news as legend Aaron Donald could be ready to roll, depending on how the rest of the week develops.
Donald would be making his return after two seasons of retirement, and for the future Hall of Famer, a new opportunity
has arrived that could enhance his lore, making him the greatest to ever do it.
It's widely considered that Lawrence Taylor is the best defender to play in the NFL, winning two Super Bowls with the Giants. If Donald comes back and remains at the All-Pro level he left the NFL at, he will become the greatest defender in league history.
The concept of coming off the couch, returning as the best defender on a team that added two All-Pros that offseason, and stepping up when the better of the two got hurt would be the type of story that every generation of fans gets told. The stuff of superheroes.
In 2023, Donald's final year, Kobie Turner and Byron Young were first and second among all rookies in sacks, largely because of Donald's influence on blocking schemes. If they return to that level of production at their current ability, Donald could be the launching pad for both to record double-digit sacks this season. Donald could also be the key to unlocking Josaiah Stewart, who is set to step up in Garrett's absence. Through influence alone, Donald has a chance to rewrite the Rams' 2026 story.
The bigger impact is his leadership. Donald was a catalyst in the hostilities between the Rams and the San Francisco 49ers. What happened in Week 1 can not happen again, and Donald is the type of leader that elevates standards and overall play. He also ignites a fire in the belly of the defense that has players playing above their projected ability.
Narratively, the Rams appear lost. If Donald guides them towards a successful campaign, especially to a championship, he would have done what Taylor couldn't: age gracefully.
To be fair, it was a different game back then, and Taylor played 13 seasons to Donald's 10. Donald never exited his prime, while Taylor did so two years before retirement, leaving Taylor with a slight lead. Taylor's final unit leading the NFL in scoring defense also helps smooth out his exit. The thing is that Taylor's exit isn't a major part of his story, while Donald's second act could redefine the general opinion about him.
This season could swing the odds. If All-Pro Aaron Donald returns on Monday night and stays throughout the rest of the year, we will have a new defensive G.O.A.T.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Aaron Donald has chance to become NFL's greatest defender ever
