Aaron Donald’s Return and Rams’ Super Bowl Prospects

Aaron Donald has made his return to the Los Angeles Rams after a brief retirement. Experts like Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, Kevin Wildes, and Greg Jennings discuss his potential instant impact. They question whether the Rams, tagged as Super Bowl favorites, are overhyped.

Howie Long joins the conversation to address expectations on Donald’s performance. The discussion also touches on whether Fernando Mendoza is prepared to start for the Las Vegas Raiders.

While the Rams had a promising offseason, the regular season started poorly. Myles Garrett’s knee surgery stands out as a significant setback. Garrett, their signature offseason acquisition, will be on injured reserve, missing at least four games. This situation confirms reports from OutKick.

During a press event, Myles Garrett posed with his jersey after practice at Rams Village in Woodland Hills, California, on June 2, 2026.

“WE BACK”: AARON DONALD RETURNS TO THE RAMS AND A DEFENSE NOW LOADED WITH MYLES GARRETT AND OTHERS

Garrett’s knee issue has caused him to miss much of training camp. Scheduled for arthroscopic surgery, his recovery depends on how this procedure progresses. The expected four-week recovery is based on initial MRI results.

The Rams played against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia, starting the season with a loss. This raised concerns about whether they should have acclimatized earlier to the conditions like their opponents did.

The Rams had labeled themselves as Super Bowl contenders but struggled in their first game. Aaron Donald, not yet ready to compete, missed their match against the 49ers. His return was carefully managed post-retirement, but Garrett’s absence places urgency on his comeback.

Armando Salguero, a senior NFL writer at OutKick, reports. Follow him on social media for updates.