​The Los Angeles Rams already possessed ample pass-rush talent to make quarterbacks uneasy, and then Aaron Donald arrived at the team facility. He was spotted working out at the Rams’ practice field on July 10, adding another layer to the ongoing speculation about a comeback. Donald himself admitted that the Rams’ trade for Myles Garrett had him contemplating a return, and head coach Sean McVay suggested that, at 35, Donald could still perform at a high level.
A return would put Donald in a front that also includes Garrett, Byron Young, Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, and Poona Ford. Claiming this year’s defensive front as the best ever would require a full season’s worth of proof, but labeling it one of the most talented ensembles ever assembled would be more straightforward. Garrett arrives after setting an NFL single-season record with 23 sacks and earning his second AP Defensive Player of the Year award. He has posted at least 12 sacks in six straight seasons and has reached double digits in each of the past eight.
Donald retired after the 2023 campaign with 111 sacks, eight first-team All-Pro selections, and three Defensive Player of the Year honors. His final season still featured eight sacks and 23 quarterback hits. Even a reduced variant of Donald would alter the protection decisions facing opponents. If teams slide help toward Garrett, inside pressure becomes more likely; if they double Donald, Garrett or Young could enjoy a cleaner path around the edge. Keeping a tight end or running back in protection would remove another eligible receiver from the route. And when teams overemphasize Garrett and Donald, the depth behind them would have opportunities to flourish.
Garrett, Young, Turner, Fiske, and Ford combined for 47 sacks last season. Young logged 12 sacks and 29 quarterback hits, Turner added seven sacks from the interior, and Fiske is approaching two years removed from an 8.5-sack rookie season. Those totals came from different roles, and in Garrett’s case, from a different defensive scheme.
Historically, the best defensive fronts have built their reputations through both production and postseason success. The 1984 Chicago Bears still hold the official NFL record with 72 sacks, powering a run to the NFC Championship Game. The 1989 Minnesota Vikings finished with 71, including 59.5 from their starting defensive line, reaching the divisional round. The 2007 New York Giants logged an NFL-leading 53 sacks and pressured an undefeated New England offense throughout their Super Bowl upset. Beyond sack totals and disruption, those groups overwhelmed opponents and delivered when the season reached its most important games.
Los Angeles would have the talent to enter that conversation again. The key question is how much two years away from the field would affect Donald, because the number of snaps he plays will determine how much of a headache opposing offenses must solve. If Donald can contribute significantly when he’s on the field, his impact could tilt protection schemes, create opportunities for teammates, and inject a new dimension into a Rams defense that already has disruptive potential. The magnitude of the challenge, of course, hinges on Donald’s readiness and how effectively he can integrate into a defense that has evolved in his absence.