The first-ranked Los Angeles Rams do not count on Aaron Donald to come back out of retirement to affix their playoff push, and coach Sean McVay says he would really feel uncomfortable even asking.
When McVay was requested Monday if he noticed any likelihood of a return from the Rams’ eight-time All-Pro defensive lineman, he made it clear he wasn’t anticipating it. He additionally mentioned he would not even provoke that dialog with Donald, who retired final March after 10 seasons.
Aaron Donald broadcasts retirement after 10 seasons within the NFL | Speak
“I’ve a very particular relationship with Aaron,” McVay mentioned. “He’s performed a lot and places a lot into all the things. I might really feel nearly disrespectful to method him, simply primarily based on rules and understanding him as I do. If it was one thing he was taken with, then clearly it will be one thing you are at all times open to , however I nearly really feel like it will be disrespectful to broach the topic with him, simply primarily based on our conversations and the readability and completeness he felt he had when he walked away when he did.”
Rams followers have been irrationally hoping for Donald’s return ever since he walked away from the sport at simply 32 years outdated whereas nonetheless on the peak of his formidable expertise. Donald gained three AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards and was chosen to 10 Pro Bowls in a decade highlighted by the Rams’ Super Bowl triumph in February 2022.
Donald completed with a franchise-record 111 sacks in a profession spent fully with the Rams in St. Louis and Los Angeles. He has given no public cause for his followers’ hopes of a return, aside from his common presence at sporting occasions within the Los Angeles space, together with no less than one Rams sport.
“I do not suppose there’s something however constructive vibes, and I do not suppose he can have any regrets about the way in which he is dealt with each single day of his profession,” McVay mentioned. “I do know he is actually comfortable doing the issues he is doing proper now, and he stays updated with what we’re doing, and he nonetheless seems to be bodily like he might go and do some actually particular issues on the sphere. But that would not be one thing that might come out, as an indication of respect for him and our relationship.”
Donald in all probability could not return this season even when he wished to, since gamers on the reserve/retired record cannot return after Week 12. Donald was nonetheless below contract when he retired, that means the Rams must launch him in the event that they wished to signal him for the remainder of the season, however then Donald must go with out criticism.
The Rams needed to rebuild their line of defense after Donald’s departure, however that was the energy of their inconsistent protection. Second-year execs Kobie Turner and Byron Young joined rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske to inventory Los Angeles’ go rush and man the protection with younger, dynamic expertise, although none on Donald’s singular degree.
McVay additionally mentioned the Rams haven’t mentioned a reunion with receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who Miami waived final week. Beckham caught a landing go within the Super Bowl and fashioned a detailed bond with McVay and several other Rams teammates throughout his memorable half-season in Los Angeles.
“It’s not one thing we have talked about but,” McVay mentioned. “You know the respect I’ve for him, nevertheless it’s not one thing we have mentioned.”
Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp headline the Rams’ stable receiving group, with Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell taking part in important supporting roles.
The Rams (8-6) climbed to the highest of the NFC West with seven wins in 9 video games since their bye week. They management their playoff future as they put together for a visit to face the New York Jets this weekend, adopted by divisional residence matchups with Arizona (7-7) and Seattle (8-6).
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“It would not change something that we have talked about the previous couple of weeks,” McVay mentioned of the Rams’ rally to first place after a 1-4 begin. “Unless the season ends right this moment, it is all simply non permanent… None of that is related except we proceed to do one thing about it.”
Associated Press reporting.
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