When the Los Angeles Rams hired Raheem Morris to be their defensive coordinator following the 2020 season, they hoped his scheme would help the team maintain their defensive status long enough for their revamped offense to carry the franchise to championship success.
That's exactly what happened as Morris – along with a defense that had Aaron Donald, Von Miller, Jalen Ramsey, and others – was victorious, shutting down the Cincinnati Bengals to win Super Bowl LVI. Years later, Morris is set to make his debut with the San Francisco 49ers, going up against the Rams, who have welcomed Donald back from retirement.
ESPN's Sarah Barshop spoke to Morris, asking if the champion coordinator was surprised by Donald's return.
"No," said Morris. "I mean, he
always stays ready. I used to joke with him and always tell him he's going to get fat when he retired and he always told me there's no chance. And he's right."
Morris' final game with the Rams was also Donald's final contest. In their wild-card loss to the Detroit Lions, ending their 2023 season, Morris would go on to become the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, while Donald opted to retire.
The two of them will have to wait before they meet again, as Donald will not play in the season opener.
Donald maintained his playing shape, even outworking former Rams defender Jared Verse last preseason during a training session at the NFL legend's home.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Raheem Morris used to joke that Aaron Donald would 'get fat when he retired'
