Aaron Donald’s Rams honeymoon is over as Broncos,…
Aaron Donald received his homecoming.
He received the roar of the Rams’ crowd. The pregame introduction out of the tunnel that despatched goosebumps down the arms of 78,000 screaming followers. He received the sort of reception that is reserved for franchise royalty.
Nearly three years after his last NFL snap, Donald was ready to soak in the love from Rams’ followers who most likely never imagined they’d ever see No. 99 in a uniform again.
Los Angeles Rams defensive deal with Aaron Donald (99) runs on the sphere during participant introductions before a sport against the New York Giants at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“This is a blessing,” Donald said Thursday. “You never take nothing for granted.”
Donald’s return was every part it ought to have been and more.
But now the honeymoon is over.
When Donald takes the sphere in Denver for the first time since 2018, it received’t be about nostalgia anymore. Nobody inside Empower Field at Mile High is going to have fun Donald’s comeback or care how good it felt to put the pads on again. Bo Nix actually received’t care.
Donald’s first sport back proved he can still play NFL soccer. He performed 32 snaps, had three tackles, one for loss, 18 cross rush snaps, one QB strain and was double-teamed seven occasions.
Those statistics ought to improve in his second sport and by the end of 60 minutes in Denver, we must always have a better thought of how a lot of the previous Aaron Donald is still left in the tank.
And no one seems more in discovering out that reply than Donald himself.
The future Hall of Famer admitted he watched the movie of his Rams return against the New York Giants a whopping six occasions.
Donald said he was finding out his actions, dissecting his errors and evaluating what he noticed against movie of himself from years in the past.
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald seems on from the bench before an NFL soccer sport against the New York Giants, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. AP Photo/Katie Chin
“Just breaking myself down, watching myself,” Donald said. “What I could have done better, things I did right, ways I can clean little things up, seeing where I’m at right now.”
Defensive coordinator Chris Shula noticed one thing different.
“He might tell you differently, but I thought he looked excellent,” Shula said. “He was awesome. He put a lot of pressure on the quarterback.”
Therein lies the absurd customary Donald has created for himself.
The Rams see a 35-year-old defensive deal with returning after practically three years away from the sport and immediately disrupting an NFL offense. Donald sees errors, but is inspired by what he noticed of himself in his six viewings.
“I think I’m on the right pace,” Donald said. “Pretty confident where I’m at right now.”
Good, because the degree of problem is about to increase.
Nix presents a different drawback than veteran backup Jameis Winston did. Nix can escape the pocket, prolong performs with his toes and punish a defensive entrance that will get reckless chasing him. Donald called him a “big quarterback” succesful of making big throws, but it was Nix’s mobility that appeared to have caught his consideration.
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) drops back to cross against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half at Empower Field at Mile High. IMAGN IMAGES via GWN Connect
“A lot of these quarterbacks now are mobile, can move around, make your job a lot harder as a rusher,” Donald said.
Shula was even more emphatic, calling Nix “the ultimate competitor” who will make performs off-schedule, assault downfield and “fight for every single yard.”
The Rams revamped protection will face a powerful take a look at in the Broncos offense. They may have to stay disciplined. Pressure the quarterback without permitting escape lanes. The secondary has to keep speedy extensive receiver Jaylen Waddle in entrance of them, because he’s succesful of turning one busted coverage into six factors.
Thankfully, the Rams have All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie now.
Donald admitted he normally doesn’t spend a lot time watching defensive backs when he watches movie, but McDuffie stood out immediately.
Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald solutions questions after an NFL soccer sport against the New York Giants in Inglewood, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. AP Photo/Katie Chin
“He caught my eye,” Donald said. “He’s something special, man.”
If McDuffie spends important time dealing with Waddle, Donald and the Rams’ cross rush could make his afternoon significantly simpler by stopping Nix from extending performs.
Another ingredient that may have an effect on Donald, and frankly all of the Rams, is the altitude.
Denver has the very best elevation stadium in the NFL at precisely one mile above sea stage.
The thinner air causes footballs to journey additional on kicks and deep passes, while visiting groups expertise elevated fatigue.
Donald hasn’t performed at altitude since 2018, and when requested how his physique will reply, he didn’t faux to know.
“I’ve got to go out there and see,” he said.
Donald pointed to the Rams line of defense rotation as a place of significance in the altitude. The Rams have a plethora of gamers in their inside protection including Donald, Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, Braden Fiske and Tyler Davis. Rotating them and protecting them contemporary, particularly when they grow to be fatigued might be very important.
If Monday evening was all about Donald rediscovering soccer and the Rams followers being launched to him, then Sunday in Denver is where he goes back to work.
The celebration is completed. The nostalgia can wait for another day, it’s time for Donald to be an on a regular basis soccer participant again.
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