Potential Return of Aaron Donald Concerns NFC Quarterbacks

Quarterbacks in the NFC West, including Brock Purdy from San Francisco, Sam Darnold from Seattle, and Jacoby Brissett from Arizona, are worried about Aaron Donald’s possible return to the Los Angeles Rams this season. The news comes after Donald, a former three-time Defensive Player of the Year, has been retired for two years.

Donald’s interest in returning sparked when the Rams acquired Myles Garrett, the reigning sack leader, earlier this offseason. This potential comeback has caused concern among NFC quarterbacks about facing both Donald and Garrett on the field.

Jared Goff, the Detroit Lions quarterback and a former teammate of Donald with the Rams, expressed his apprehension on the “Green Light With Chris Long” podcast. He admitted he does not look forward to the challenge of playing against Donald again in the playoffs.

“How many snaps a game you think he gives the Rams this year if he comes back?” Chris Long asked Goff.
“Hopefully zero,” Goff jested. “In that playoff game, we beat [the Rams] and I’m like, ‘We did it; Aaron’s done. I don’t have to see him ever again.’ And he’s like, ‘Hold on, I might come back.’ So, we’ll see. If he comes back, I’m sure he’ll help them a lot. We might see them in the playoffs, and I can’t say enough good things about him.”

Goff and Donald were teammates with the Rams from 2016 to 2020, during which they achieved three playoff appearances and one Super Bowl appearance in five years. Since moving to Detroit in 2021, Goff has faced Donald and the Rams twice, splitting the games 1-1. The victory came in a 24-23 playoff match in 2023, marking Donald’s last game before retiring.