Aaron Donald is back, and it did not take long for the rest of the NFL to realize what that means.
Players and former stars flooded social media Sunday after Donald officially ended his two-year retirement to rejoin the Rams, turning a defensive front that was already generating enormous hype after the blockbuster addition of Myles Garrett into something considerably more intimidating.
Rams defensive lineman Kobie Turner appeared ready for it.
“Bout that time,” Turner wrote in the comments of Donald’s announcement.
Puka Nacua needed only two letters.
“AD,” the Rams receiver wrote.
The reactions outside Los Angeles showed far more concern.
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III warned that “The LA Rams defense will be a NIGHTMARE for QBs with Aaron Donald coming out of retirement.”
RGIII had been predicting trouble for opposing offenses since Donald began seriously flirting with a Rams comeback, and Sunday’s news turned the hypothetical pairing with Garrett into reality.
Former Cowboys defensive lineman Marcus Spears offered perhaps the most colorful assessment.
“Lord Jesus, it’s a Fire,” Spears wrote.
The New Heights account, home of former Eagles center Jason Kelce and Chiefs star Travis Kelce, welcomed Donald back by reposting footage of one of his famously punishing workouts.
“Aaron Donald never takes it easy in the weight room, no matter who he’s working out with 😅,” the account wrote. “Welcome back, @AaronDonald97.”
Former Colts punter Pat McAfee reduced the news to the part likely keeping offensive coordinators awake.
“BREAKING: Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald are officially on the same DLINE.”
Donald, 35, agreed to a one-year, $20 million deal that can reach $30 million through playoff incentives.
After months of wondering whether one of the greatest defensive players ever would actually return, the question around the NFL has changed.
Now everyone has to figure out how to block him.
