The Los Angeles Rams put the NFL on notice by executing a blockbuster trade to acquire All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs. They instantly became the odds-on favorites to win Super Bowl LXI next season.
That was two months ago, but it feels like ancient history after what the Rams just did.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news Monday that the Cleveland Browns had agreed to trade reigning AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Rams in exchange for L.A.’s 2027 first-round draft pick, a 2028 third-round pick, a 2029 third-round pick, and 2024 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse.
Dante Koplowitz-Fleming confirmed that the Rams are now the first team in NFL history to roster the reigning NFL MVP — Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford — and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year simultaneously.
If Aaron Donald enters the mix, the 31 other teams may as well take their footballs and go home.
Donald, 35, announced his NFL retirement in March 2024, but his recent Instagram activity has fueled speculation that he’s plotting a return to the Rams. Posting workout videos is sort of Donald’s calling card, but four days ago, he soundtracked his latest Instagram workout video with Blxst’s “Ain’t Done” and punctuated the caption with “#ready.” Interesting, to say the least.
This doesn’t seem to just be misguided internet sleuthing, either.
NFL on ESPN photoshopped Donald and Garrett in Rams jerseys and wrote on X, “The next great DL on the Rams [cold face emoji]. Imagine if Aaron Donald came out of retirement.” Longtime sportscaster and former ESPN personality Trey Wingo replied, “Let’s just say that’s more than just imagination……..all I can tell you right now.”
Donald spent his entire 10-year career with the Rams, first in St. Louis and then in Los Angeles. He retired with 111 career sacks, eight All-Pro selections, three AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards, and one Super Bowl ring. He’s universally affixed on the Mount Rushmores of NFL defensive tackles and a surefire first ballot Hall of Famer.
Garrett, 30, spent his first nine seasons in Cleveland. He departed the Browns with 125.5 career sacks — the second-most sacks through a player’s first nine NFL seasons behind Reggie White’s 137 — and broke the all-time single-season sack record with 23 last season.
By moving to Los Angeles, Garrett will finally have the chance to pair his individual greatness with winning. And at 30, he fits the Rams’ win-now window with 38-year-old Stafford. Garrett, Donald, and Stafford (and even 33-year-old Davante Adams) winning the Super Bowl together would be a collective win for thirtysomethings everywhere.