Aaron Donald’s Back — Rams to the Bowl or Are We Value Hunting?

Varun Sharma

Written by: Varun Sharma

Last Update: Wed Sep 02, 2026, 1:52 pm ET

Read Time: 7 minutes

Aaron Donald

nfl

The 2026 NFL Season is eight days away and we had the biggest free agent signing of the entire offseason happen just two days ago.

Aaron Donald has come out of retirement and he officially signed a 1-year $20 million deal with the only franchise he's ever played for; the Los Angeles Rams.

We've seen reports all summer of Donald back in the facility, working out with the team, working out with his new teammates and mulling over the idea of a return to football.

It's official now, Aaron Donald is back.

Betting News NFL Betting Guide

Odds to Win the NFC West

  • Los Angeles Rams (+100)
  • Seattle Seahawks (+230)
  • San Francisco 49ers (+325)
  • Arizona Cardinals (+6000)

Odds to Win the Super Bowl

  • Los Angeles Rams (+550)
  • Buffalo Bills (+1050)
  • Seattle Seahawks (+1200)
  • Baltimore Ravens (+1400)
  • Kansas City Chiefs (+1600)
  • Cincinnati Bengals (+2000)
  • Green Bay Packers (+2500)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+6000)

For additional information on NFL futures, take a look at our NFL Picks Page or our NFL Odds Page.

You can also browse our recommendations for the best online sportsbooks available in the U.S.

Aaron Donald is…35?

Yes, Aaron Donald is 35 years old and hasn't played football since 2023.

Aaron Donald is also a 3x Defensive Player of the Year, 8x First Team All-Pro, 10x Pro Bowler and former Defensive Rookie of the Year. He's a Super Bowl Champion and he's going to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when the time comes.

Donald played 10 seasons in the NFL, he recorded 111 sacks and finished with 11+ sacks in six of his 10 seasons. In his final year, Donald played 16 games, recorded 8 sacks and had 53 combined tackles/assists.

Donald finished the year as PFF's 6th highest graded pass rusher, he had the 4th best pass rush win rate and generated the 4th most QB hurries in the NFL. That was Donald at 32 and at the tail end of his career.

Physically, he looks just as good today as he did in 2023 and that's a sentiment he completely agrees with.

Defense Wins Football Games

The Rams were one of the more favored teams to win the Super Bowl this year, but this signing just shot them straight to the top of the list. This is the same team that just traded for Myles Garrett a few short months ago and now they just added Aaron Donald to that defensive line.

Last year the Rams' had the best coverage grade in the NFL, they forced the 5th most turnovers in the league and finished the season ranked 8th in sacks.

That same team just added two of the best pass rushers of the last decade, while simultaneously bolstering their secondary. The Rams traded for CB Trent McDuffie this offseason, adding the talented 25-year old and 2x Super Bowl Champion to an already talented coverage unit.

McDuffie's played four years in the NFL, he's got 2 All-Pro selections, 2 Super Bowl wins with the Chiefs and now he's the second highest paid CB in the league.

You've got McDuffie on one side and another former Chief with Jaylen Watson playing the opposite McDuffie. In behind the two corners, you've got Kam Curl and Kamren Kitchens; two of PFF's highest graded safeties last year and then Quentin Lake at the nickel.

Let's also not forget Myles Garrett just set the single season record for sacks last year. He had 23 sacks and finished with 43% of Cleveland's total sacks. Now he plays on the same DL as Aaron Donald.

Check us out on X

Check out our breakdown of a recently published study in the British Medical Journal on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and it's prevalence in former NFL players.

The study looked at the brains of 338 donors (former NFL players) and 315 (93.2%) had a diagnosis of CTE.

Questions on Offense

Matthew Stafford

It sounds crazy to say after the year they had last season, but the Rams' offense worries me more than this defense. Puka Nacua is currently in the midst of his own legal issues and his status for both Week 1 and the rest of the season remains a question mark.

He's unlikely to miss the entire season, but with no official reports it's hard to make an accurate prediction. Outside of Nacua, Matthew Stafford comes into this season at 38-years old and will be playing in his 18th NFL season.

Stafford is also coming off his first career 'Most Valuable Player' Award and he set a new career high in touchdown passes with 46. He averaged 276.9 passing yards per game, he completed 65% of his passes and finished the season with a passer rating just under 110.

Stafford was great last year, but so were his receivers. Nacua lead the league in receptions, receiving yards, passer rating when targeted and had the best receiving grade in the NFL. Davante Adams lead the league in receiving touchdowns (14) and missed the final three games of the season.

Nacua lead the NFL in both contested catches and contested catch rate. In fact, Puka had the most contested catches ever in a single season last year. Both Puka and Davante are elite separators on the field and this Rams' run game is no joke.

So… Los Angeles Rams (+550)?

If you like the Rams to win the Super Bowl, my advice would be to wait. The (+550) line we're currently getting might be the worst one we see.

The Rams play three of their first four games on the road this year, including their season opener down in Australia. Four of the Rams' first five opponents this year, finished last year with 11+ wins last year.

All four of those teams are also one of the two favorites to win their respective division this year and one of the four is the 49ers.

The league did Los Angeles absolutely no favours when creating the schedule and it's why I think we're bound to see a better line on the Rams after a few weeks have gone by. Aaron Donald likely sits Week 1, eyeing a Week2/3 return to play.

Puka Nacua's case is still playing out and if a suspension was coming, I'd assume it would be in that very early window of games in September. Lastly, both Davante Adams and Matthew Stafford are old.

Both are on the other side of 32, with over a decade of experience in the league. Experience is great for the mind, but sometimes not the body.

With so much volatility in football, I'm not looking to invest money in the consensus favorite and that applies twice as much if said team is a 'super team'.

4.9/5 Review Rating
Bonus & Benefits
Up to $1,250 + 50 Free Slots Spins
See our review »
$1,250 Welcome Bonus
Bet Live on Your Favorite Sports
Earn More with Rebel Rewards!
Play Now & Claim Bonus »

Follow me on 'X' @VSaaauce for all my picks and sports takes you didn't ask for! Follow Betting News on 'X', Tik Tok and Twitch! Live 7-days a week! Check us out for more picks, and news!

Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly

Sign up for
THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER

Looking for a great promo for a new sportsbook? Check out our reviews of the best sportsbooks.

Varun Sharma
Varun Sharma

You may know me as ‘VSaaauce’. I’ve been a die hard hoops fan my entire life. I’ve been betting on the NBA/NCAAB/NFL/MLB for six years now, each year gaining more and more knowledge about being a profitable handicapper. I’m eager to learn, and eager to pass on everything I’ve gained over the last few years. I started my Twitter page four years ago, and this community makes me so thankful I did. Outside of sports and handicapping, I enjoy traveling, hoopin, a strong espresso and I’m currently studying to obtain my MD. I’m all about the vibes, good vibes only. If that sounds like you, follow me on 'X' @VSaaauce.

This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.