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Retired DT Aaron Donald Still With Rams, Team Will Miss Him

Vaseline September 9, 2024

Sean McVay is preparing for his first time as head coach of the Los Angeles Rams to play an entire season without star defensive end Aaron Donald. It’s a hole in the Rams’ defense that the team has learned to live with just days before their season opener against the Detroit Lions.

“I want them to play the way they’re capable of, the way they’ve played this offseason, this training camp. I want them to be able to play within themselves. Go enjoy it,” McVay told reporters this week. “I really like this group that we’re a part of. We’ve said it time and time again, and you know it. You never replace an Aaron Donald and that’s not what we’re asking our guys to do.”

Despite Donald’s retirement in March, the Rams’ all-time sack leader still has a presence and impact on the franchise. McVay tells players stories about Donald, and the future Hall of Famer visited the club ahead of Week 1.

“We were so fortunate and blessed to have such a special player like Aaron Donald around. What I thought was cool is he was a great role model for the guys that watched him play,” McVay said. “I can always use him for stories. He was there last week.”

While McVay admits he misses the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, a player who helped the franchise win Super Bowl 56, he is glad that Donald is enjoying life as a retired athlete.

“It’s pretty special that he’s earned the right to be so content and so whole and so full, to use his words. He coaches his son’s soccer team and he loves it. His three-year-old son Aaron had a great birthday party at their house the other day,” McVay said. “I’m really happy for Aaron. I miss him, but I’m excited for the opportunity for these guys to do their thing and etch their names into this thing.”

The Rams selected pass rusher Jared Verse and defensive tackle Braden Fiske with their first two picks in the 2024 NFL draft to help offset the loss of Donald up front. The two rookies are expected to start in the Rams’ starting 3-4 defense. The team is also hoping that returning defensive tackles Kobie Turner, who had a team-high nine sacks in 2023, and Bobby Brown can make a big impact.

“I want Kobie Turner to be Kobie Turner. I want Bobby Brown to be Bobby Brown. Braden Fiske to be Braden Fiske,” McVay said. “That’s really what we’re looking for.”

On offense, wide receiver Cooper Kupp, the 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, is fully fit again after missing five games last season.

“I think he’s done a tremendous job of getting his body back to the level that he wants to be as far as feeling good, going out there, running and doing everything he needs to do to be Cooper Kupp,” Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford said. “I’m just happy for him (and) how he’s feeling.”

Kupp is healthy and that should be a huge boon for the Rams, but as McVay said, they will definitely miss No. 99 in 2024 and beyond.

Follow Tyler Dragon of USA TODAY Sports on X @TheTylerDragon.