Aaron Donald is back, and the Los Angeles Rams suddenly have even less room for excuses in 2026. The future Hall of Fame defensive tackle officially ended his retirement Sunday, rejoining a roster already built around major championship expectations. That move immediately changed the conversation around Sean McVay’s team, which reached the NFC Championship Game last season.
Stephen A. Smith added another layer on Monday on First Take, delivering a blunt assessment of what Donald’s return should mean for Los Angeles. His message was simple: with this much talent, the Rams have to turn expectations into a Super Bowl appearance this year.
Smith has set a massive standard
Smith didn’t soften his assessment on First Take. “The only possible excuse for the Rams not making the Super Bowl is health,” he said, making clear that Donald’s return has pushed expectations to an extreme level.
The Rams reached the NFC Championship Game last season before losing 31-27 to Seattle. Donald’s return makes the championship narrative even louder. The pressure will only increase if Los Angeles starts the season slowly.
Aaron Donald changed the equation
Donald is returning after retiring following the 2023 season. At 35, he has not played an NFL game in more than two years, making his comeback one of the league’s biggest stories. His return also gives the Rams another proven leader as they chase a championship.
His résumé explains the reaction. Donald made 10 Pro Bowls, earned eight first-team All-Pro selections, and won three AP Defensive Player of the Year awards. Those accomplishments place him among the most dominant defensive players in NFL history.
The Myles Garrett pairing makes expectations louder
The timing of Donald’s return matters because the Rams already made one of the offseason’s biggest moves by acquiring Myles Garrett from Cleveland. Garrett won his second Defensive Player of the Year award in 2025 after setting an NFL single-season record with 23 sacks.
Now, Los Angeles can potentially place two of the league’s most decorated defensive linemen on the same front. Their combined résumé includes five Defensive Player of the Year awards, 17 Pro Bowl selections, and 236.5 career sacks. That doesn’t guarantee anything, especially with Donald returning from a long layoff; however, it does explain the massive expectations.
Fun fact: Donald never missed a Pro Bowl during his 10-season NFL career. He also made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2014, beginning a streak that lasted through his final season.
Donald still believes he can be himself
Donald has made it clear that this comeback wasn’t driven simply by nostalgia. After returning to practice, he said he believes he can still play at a high level and remain himself on the field.
The veteran said he carefully evaluated his training and conditioning before committing to the comeback. He studied his movements, cuts, and hip turns and saw no meaningful difference from his previous work.
Fun fact: Donald’s 111 career sacks rank 33rd in NFL history, despite spending his entire career primarily as an interior defensive lineman. His 20.5 sacks in 2018 remain his single-season career high.
The Rams still have to manage the reality
Smith’s message creates an obvious pressure point for McVay and the Rams. Expectations can soar because of star power, but NFL seasons are decided by health, execution and performance once the regular season begins.
The Rams initially eased Donald back into football activities, and Sean McVay said his limited work was part of the plan. However, on Sept. 3, the Rams officially named Donald a starter for the Sept. 10 season opener against San Francisco.
Donald’s workload and conditioning remain important after more than two years away from NFL games, but the latest development confirms that Los Angeles currently expects him to play in the opener.
Los Angeles has more than Donald
The Rams’ championship case also rests on a broader roster. Matthew Stafford returns after winning the 2025 NFL MVP award, while the offense brings back major pieces from the league’s top unit last season.
Los Angeles also strengthened its secondary by acquiring Trent McDuffie and adding Jaylen Watson. The defensive front already includes Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Byron Young, and Poona Ford, giving the Rams depth around Garrett and Donald.
Fun fact: Donald’s final NFL game came in the Rams’ 24-23 wild-card loss to Detroit in January 2024. He finished his final regular season with eight sacks.
The real test begins when the games count
Smith’s comments are best understood as a statement about expectations, not a guarantee of what will happen. The Rams still have to navigate a full NFL season, and Donald’s effectiveness after two seasons away remains something that can only be established on the field.
Still, his return has undeniably raised the stakes. Los Angeles already had a championship-caliber roster on paper, then added Garrett and brought back one of the greatest defensive players of his generation.
For McVay and the Rams, the message is unmistakable. The conversation is no longer just about whether Donald can return and contribute. It is whether this star-studded team can finish the job and reach the Super Bowl.
TL;DR
- Stephen A. Smith said health is the only possible excuse for the Rams not making the Super Bowl.
- Aaron Donald has returned to Los Angeles after more than two years away from the NFL.
- Donald joins Myles Garrett on a defense featuring two recent Defensive Player of the Year winners.
- The Rams reached the NFC Championship Game last season and now face even higher expectations.
- The Rams have named Donald a starter for the Sept. 10 season opener against San Francisco after his extended retirement.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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