Aaron Donald's return to the NFL was highly anticipated, and the future Hall of Famer didn't disappoint in his first game back in over two years. The Los Angeles Rams' defensive tackle was a force on Monday night, helping his team dismantle the New York Giants 28-6. But while fans and teammates were thrilled to see him on the field, Donald was more focused on the little things that need polishing.
Donald, 35, played 32 snaps in the victory, recording three tackles, a tackle for loss, and a quarterback pressure, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. It was a solid outing, but the three-time Defensive Player of the Year knows he's not back to his peak form just yet. After the game, he admitted that the speed of the game wasn't the issue—it was his own body and mind catching up.
“The game really wasn’t as fast as I thought,” Donald said, per Rams.com's Stu Jackson. “It was more of me calming myself down, overrunning stuff or just my feet not being in the ground how they supposed to be, not trusting my eyes, little stuff like that. But playing the game, when I held out in ’17, ’18, it was the same way when I came back, it took a couple games to get going. It’s a little different. I ain’t played in two years, so I gotta watch the film, see what I did good, see what I did wrong, and just clean it up.”
The Rams' defense looked rejuvenated with Donald anchoring the middle. According to ESPN's Sarah Barshop, Los Angeles posted a 66.7% pass rush win rate on Monday night—their highest mark since Week 11 of the 2022 season, which was Donald's last game before his brief retirement. His presence alone seemed to energize the entire unit.
Even with Myles Garrett out of the lineup, Donald drew double-teams early and often. But the 35-year-old believes he left some opportunities on the table, particularly in one-on-one situations. “I had some one-on-ones, I just got to win them a little faster,” he said. “At times, like I said, I popped up, got a little high, got a little too excited. But hopefully we keep getting blocked like that and we get going.”
Rams head coach Sean McVay was beaming after the win, clearly thrilled to have his star defensive tackle back on the gridiron. “If you didn’t get chills when he was introduced, then you’re not freaking alive,” McVay said. “That was awesome. And I just think it’s one of those deals that you get an opportunity to say, ‘Just watch what the hell I do, follow my freaking lead,’ and that’s what this guy does. I love him.”
Donald's return is a massive boost for a Rams team that has struggled defensively in recent years. His leadership and playmaking ability are irreplaceable, and his mere presence on the field changes how opposing offenses game-plan. While he may still be shaking off rust, his performance on Monday was a reminder of why he's considered one of the greatest defensive players of all time.
As Donald looks to build on this performance, he'll likely focus on refining his technique and trusting his instincts. He's been through this before, and he knows it takes a few games to get back into a rhythm. But if Monday night was any indication, the rest of the NFL should be on high alert.
The Rams will look to keep their momentum rolling as they prepare for their next matchup. With Donald leading the charge, this defense could be a force to be reckoned with. For now, fans can enjoy the sideline reporter's viral moment from Monday night, but the real story is Donald's triumphant return.
