Aaron Donald feedback after first Rams comeback observe – NBC Los Angeles

Aaron Donald returned to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, ending his retirement after 2 1/2 years to chase one other Tremendous Bowl title.

The 35-year-old Donald made his choice after a number of weeks of dialogue and almost three months of intensive exercises for a star defensive lineman who reigned atop his place in a Rams uniform from 2014 till his retirement in early 2024.

Donald joined a lightweight observe on the Rams’ coaching complicated later Sunday, shaking palms and exchanging hugs with Myles Garrett and the remainder of his teammates, each outdated and new.

Whereas he hasn’t determined whether or not he’ll play within the Rams’ season opener in opposition to the 49ers in Australia subsequent month, Donald is keen to finish a comeback that appeared inconceivable solely three months in the past.

“Do I really feel like I can play at a excessive degree? Sure,” Donald mentioned. “Do I really feel like I can nonetheless be myself? 100%, and if I didn’t really feel like that, I wouldn’t be right here.”

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Donald agreed to a one-year contract, and ESPN reported he’ll make a minimum of $20 million in an incentive-laden deal.

Donald grew to become one of many best defensive gamers of his period throughout a decade spent totally with the Rams in St. Louis and Los Angeles. He gained three AP NFL Defensive Participant of the Yr awards whereas incomes 10 Professional Bowl picks, eight All-Professional picks and a Tremendous Bowl ring earlier than he retired considerably abruptly following the 2023-24 season.

After two years of tending to his enterprise pursuits and having fun with ample household time, Donald started to entertain the notion of a comeback this summer time after the Rams traded younger lineman Jared Verse in a deal for Garrett, certainly one of Donald’s few friends in up to date defensive position play.

“I already thought it was a stacked D-line with Verse … and then you definately deliver a man like Myles Garrett, a generational expertise, after which it’s like, ‘Gosh, that could possibly be enjoyable,’” Donald mentioned with a smile.

Donald and Garrett have mixed to win 5 of the AP’s previous 9 Defensive Participant of the Yr awards, together with two of the previous three for Garrett with the Cleveland Browns. Whereas Garrett mentioned he would not try and affect Donald’s choice, the 2 have exchanged quite a few textual content messages whereas Donald went via the coaching essential to develop into his teammate.

With MVP Matthew Stafford returning to steer the league’s most efficient offense, Los Angeles was already the betting favourite in most sportsbooks to win its second Tremendous Bowl title underneath coach Sean McVay even earlier than Donald’s comeback. Together with Garrett, Los Angeles added cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson from Kansas Metropolis to a protection that now appears extra outfitted to maintain tempo with the Rams’ offense, which returns each main contributor round Stafford.

“I believe this can be a full workforce with me right here or with out me right here, so for me to even have the chance to be part of this, to be with this workforce, I take nothing with no consideration,” Donald mentioned. “It’s a blessing to be retired from the sport for 2 years after which have the chance to come back again and be part of one thing particular.”

McVay has appeared assured for weeks that Donald was leaning towards a return. Donald mentioned he finalized his choice to return about two weeks in the past after being in nearly day by day contact with McVay for a number of weeks.

“He means quite a bit to me, and it is manner larger than soccer,” McVay mentioned. “There’s a whole lot of historical past. There’s a whole lot of experiences that we have shared, a whole lot of love for one another’s households. I am excited to begin this journey.”

Donald stayed in first rate form throughout his retirement, and he was pleasantly shocked by the best way his physique responded to its return to NFL-level coaching. He additionally says his famed defensive position approach hasn’t declined.

“I have been in a soccer mindset for the final 14 weeks,” Donald mentioned. “If something, it’s simply getting again on the grass and knocking the rust off so far as enjoying soccer once more, 11 on 11. Work on my eyes, getting the texture for the sport, sure response issues that made me who I’m. I put myself in the most effective place one of the best ways I can with coaching to get to the place I’m at now.”

Donald’s 111 profession sacks are the Rams’ franchise document and the second-most in NFL historical past amongst linemen who primarily performed on the inside. His capacity to generate a cross rush between the tackles is the first foundation of his greatness, however Donald additionally was a run-stuffer whose agility and approach pressured defenses to double-team him usually, liberating up his teammates to excel.

The choice resets Donald’s eligibility clock for his all-but-automatic induction into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame, however he is far more keen on seizing the robust alternative to play for a second ring whereas lining up alongside Garrett and proficient younger contributors Byron Younger, Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske on what must be an opponents’ nightmare of a defensive entrance.

Donald joins a major group of latest NFL stars who’ve ended retirements and returned to this punishing sport, together with Philip Rivers, Jason Witten, Marshawn Lynch, Rob Gronkowski and Eric Weddle, the security who got here again from 2 1/2 years away and joined Donald on the Rams’ short-handed protection for its playoff run to a championship in early 2022.