The Los Angeles Rams adding elite edge rusher Myles Garrett this week in a trade isn't going to guarantee LA steals the NFC West crown from the Seattle Seahawks. Should retired Aaron Donald choose to return, though, that move might.
Garrett and Donald are both likely Pro Football Hall of Famers, and as 12s all know, Donald was a menace to Pete Carroll's Seahawks teams. There could be some fear about him returning, and Rams head coach Sean McVay is in no mood to make followers of his division rival feel better.
In a press conference announcing Garrett, who was acquired from the Cleveland Browns, as the newest Ram, McVay was asked about Donald, and the coach offered, "Aaron's a guy that I stay really close in touch with and I know the respect that he has for Myles. Talked to him about the opportunity to be able to bring him on board. If Aaron decides he wants to dust them off at the age of 35, I bet you he could still do it at a pretty high clip."
Rams' Sean McVay doesn't help Seattle Seahawks fans feel better about potential Aaron Donald situation
12s likely assume Donald can play at a pretty high clip, too. Plus, his coming back would not only make Myles Garrett's job easier, but Donald's too. Teams couldn't focus on one or the other, but were forced to look at stopping both. This, obviously, would free up other talented players in the Los Angeles front seven.
McVay, though, isn't going to say whether Aaron Donald is returning or not. It's June, after all, and anything can happen. Plus, the head coach is likely having a bit of fun with all the discussion about his team and about a player he claims to still be in close contact with.
Donald is 35 years old currently and two seasons removed from the last time he played, but he was still named First-Team All-Pro in his final year of 2023. Throughout his 10-year career, he was notably difficult on the Seattle Seahawks, finishing (let's hope) with 15.5 sacks against the team from the Pacific Northwest, the most of any team.
In fact, his potential return might slightly overshadow the addition of Myles Garrett. Garrett is a fantastic player and will be a challenge for the Seahawks to block, of course, but 12s haven't seen Garrett take on Seattle all that often. With Donald, even while he hasn't played in two seasons, his impact against the Seahawks is still felt.
The general positive, however, is that the Los Angeles Rams are clearly going all-in on 2026 in hopes of winning another Super Bowl. Meanwhile, the Seahawks are extending young core players such as Derick Hall and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Los Angeles might be a big winner next year, but Seattle could be long thereafter.
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