The retirement of all-time great defensive tackle Aaron Donald last year left a massive void in the Los Angeles Rams defense. One of the greatest defensive players to ever step foot on an NFL field, replacing Donald is an impossible task, but the Rams took some steps to at least begin the process in selecting Jared Verse and Braden Fiske with their first two picks of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Verse got off to a strong start in his career as he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Now, the pass rusher is looking to build on that impressive first season and what better way to improve than to work out with Donald himself, one of the best ever.
But Verse is apparently regretting that decision as he recently discussed the insane workout with the Rams legend that left him unable to move for a couple of days, via Rams on X:
.@JaredVerse1 telling the story about his workout with @AaronDonald97 will never get old. 😂 pic.twitter.com/9pdXLhGYyE
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) July 25, 2025
For Donald to still be able to put in this level of work even in retirement just shows that he was on another level. Verse found out why he will go down as one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history and Donald, if he really wanted to, could probably step right back on the field for the Rams and be just as dominant.
For most normal people, 45 minutes is the length of the workout, but that is simply a warmup for Donald and Verse at that point realized what he was in for. The Rams’ pass rusher trying anything to get out of finishing, but Donald not allowing him to leave is hilarious, but also shows just how serious the future Hall of Famer is.
While he may have hated it in the moment, these are the things that allow for players to take that leap into the next level and Verse will be better after seeing the level of work necessary to become an all-time great. As a rookie, Verse finished with 66 tackles, 18 quarterback hits, 11 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries and he plans on bringing a new level of dominance for the Rams in year two.
Rams’ Jared Verse & Braden Fiske have built up chemistry over time
The Rams selecting Jared Verse and Braden Fiske with their first two draft picks in 2024 not only brought them a pair of stalwarts on the defensive line, but also college teammates who have been able to build a level of chemistry and brotherhood over the years together.
