The Los Angeles Rams have stolen headlines for various reasons this offsason, most recently for the possibility tht they get Aaron Donald back from a two-year retirement.
Donald has been teasing a possible decision, but recently admitted that he was unsure. Rams head coach Sean McVay has been forward about his desire to have Donald back with the team, but also that he would not pressure his former defensive star.
Now, after McVay set some loose timeline expectations, the head coach addressed the matter.
Rams Remain on Standby With Aaron Donald
GettyAaron Donald spoke about returning to the Rams this season while in LA.
The Rams held their first practice back in Woodland Hills on Saturday after beginning training camp at Loyola Marymount, and McVay fielded a question about Donald, who was spotted at UCLA working out on Friday.
McVay previously said that he expected to get more clarity on Donald’s decision, either way, when the Rams got back to Woodland Hills.
“No update on that as of right now,” McVay told reporters on August 8.
Donald admitted to a group of children following his workout at UCLA that he was still unsure about returning to the Rams after two seasons away. Fittingly, McVay gave a poignant response about the 10-time Pro Bowler.
In explaining what made Donald great, McVay also revealed the underlying question that Donald has been asking himself throughout this process.
It is the reason that Donald had shot down the idea in previous years.
That is whether or not Donald wants to put himself through the grueling measures required to be ready and available day in and day out from week to week during an NFL season. Donald’s work ethic is a key part of what made him great.
Donald’s recent steps to test himself are encouraging signs, but still a far cry from being a certainty that he will unretire and play for the Rams again.
Sean McVay Offers Telling Praise About Aaron Donald
GettySean McVay has a great appreciation for Aaron Donald.
Donald and McVay remain close friends, and the Rams head coach did not hold back when asked what sets the three-time Defensive Player of the Year apart.
McVay first said, “Where do you awant me to start?”
“Number 1, I think, is really his competitive stamina. His work capacity. Never asked anybody to do what he wouldn’t do. But, obviously, the leverage. I think the hand accuracy, his quick twitch. He’s got great concept understanding, when you really ask him what he’s feeling, what he’s seeing,” McVay said, citing a play from the Rams’ Super Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals as an example.
“There really wasn’t any weaknesses. And I think there was incredible self-awareness, and just great feel for the game. I think the greats just, they have an intrinsic … motivation where there’s a rage to master. And then, there’s an ability to pick things up really quickly in their domain, and he was checking both those boxes.”
Rams Banking on AD Finding Internal Fire
GettyAaron Donald’s potential return to the Los Angeles Rams remains a source of intrigue.
The Rams will not pressure Donald, but they are not shying away from publicly noting and speaking on the possibility. That alone has created some level of expectation, despite both sides being clear about the uncertainty that exists to this point.
Donald’s biggest motivation for returning, after chasing a Super Bowl, is the Rams’ trade for Myles Garrett.
If an external motivation is the greatest force for Donald, it could be to the Rams’ detriment.
Sean McVay Gets Honest After Strong Words About Aaron Donald Amid Rams’ Shift