The Los Angeles Rams will enter the 2024 season with a new-look defensive line after Aaron Donald announced his retirement.
Although Donald never made any noise about him leaving the game of football during the 2023 season, members within the organization had a feeling that his career would be coming to a close. However, general manager Les Snead and Sean McVay quickly rebuilt the defensive line in the 2024 NFL Draft by taking Jared Verse and Braden Fiske at No. 19 and No. 39, respectively.
While Verse and Fiske will try to reestablish the D-line during the 2024 season and beyond, there’s still no replacing someone like Donald, who could single-handedly dominate a game.
Should Los Angeles make the playoffs again, Snead didn’t completely rule out Donald coming back though he did admit he doesn’t see it happening, via The Rich Eisen Show:
“I did mention to Aaron that going back to our Super Bowl run, there was a player by the name of Eric Weddle, who kind of jumped into the playoffs and we signed him to the practice squad. And we elevated him for four straight games to a Super Bowl championship. So I did mention if we happen to get to the playoffs again, maybe we’ll circle back and see if the cups not quite filled. But that’s just rumor. I doubt Aaron’s going to do that.”
Snead explained that someone like Donald might feel uncomfortable joining the team so late into the year:
“Aaron’s one of those guys where he’s so principle, he might feel uncomfortable that, ‘You know what, I didn’t go through those other 18 (weeks) with the guys, I’m not sure I can go through the playoffs with them.’ Not sure, we might tempt him. No breaking news here.”
Suffice to say, if Donald did want to return the Rams organization would welcome him back with open arms considering what he means to the franchise. However, as Snead mentioned, Donald does seem like the kind of person to stick to his decisions meaning that last season was probably the last time they’ll see him in a Rams uniform.
Braden Fiske excited to reunite with Jared Verse on Rams
Los Angeles clearly liked Fiske during the draft process because they made an aggressive move to trade up for him on draft day. Shortly after getting selected, Fisked expressed how excited he is to reunite with Verse on the Rams and build on the chemistry they had during their lone year together at Florida State.
