Winners, losers of Aaron Donald’s return: Rams all-in on Super Bowl push

Aaron Donald recorded each of his workouts over the past 14 weeks as he weighed whether he would come out of retirement and return to the Los Angeles Rams in 2026 and closely assessed all of it. Every rep he took. Every cut. Every hip flip. Every movement.

The conclusion? The 10-time Pro Bowler, eight-time first-team All-Pro and three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year says he feels just as good, maybe even a little better than he has at any point in his storied career.

"Do I feel like I can play at a high level? Yes. Do I feel like I can still be myself? 100%. If I didn't feel like that, I wouldn't be here," Donald told reporters on Sunday. "… I studied myself to a tee."

Donald's return after a four-year hiatus makes the Rams defensive front a nightmare for opposing offenses to even think about. Myles Garrett, the reigning DPOY fresh off a record-breaking 23 sacks in 2025, lines up on the edge opposite Donald. Braden Fiske, Poona Ford and Kobie Turner control the gaps in the interior. Don't forget about Byron Young, either.

And that's not even including the secondary headlined by Trent McDuffie…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/