The Los Angeles Rams open their season in two weeks against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, and they still do not have an answer from Aaron Donald about a possible return. Donald has worked out at the team’s facility multiple times, and the Rams have listed him on the transaction wire as wearing team equipment during those sessions. However, he has not finalized his decision, and significant financial hurdles remain before any comeback could take place. Under his current contract situation, Donald would count roughly $30 million against the salary cap, which the Rams do not currently have the space to accommodate.
Both sides would need to work out a new agreement if he decides to play, and with the season opener approaching, the pressure to reach some kind of resolution is mounting. The Rams have reportedly remained interested in bringing Donald back, and his potential return would transform an already formidable defensive front. Adding him alongside Miles Garrett, acquired from Cleveland, would give Los Angeles one of the most dangerous defensive line combinations in the league, with Garrett pressuring quarterbacks from the edge and Donald attacking from the interior. Even without Donald, the Rams are widely viewed as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
The roster features Matthew Stafford at quarterback, Devonte Adams at receiver, and Garrett anchoring the defense. Analysts have pointed out that if the team stays healthy, it has the talent to win a championship even without its retired defensive legend. At the same time, questions have been raised about why the Rams are not receiving the same criticism about age that has been directed at the 49ers. Stafford is 38 years old, Adams is entering his 13th NFL season, and Donald would be 35 if he returned.
These are players with documented injury histories, including Stafford’s back issues and Adams’ hamstring problems. Supporters of the Rams argue that the team deserves more benefit of the doubt because it has already proven it can close the deal. Los Angeles won the Super Bowl in the 2021 season. Stafford also answered doubters last year by delivering an MVP-caliber season despite concerns about his back, which has given the organization additional credibility.
However, beyond the Donald situation, another issue could shape the Rams’ season: the backup quarterback position. The competition between Stetson Bennett and Ty Simpson has drawn increasing attention, with analysts divided over who should hold the role behind Stafford. Bennett knows Sean McVay’s offensive system and has been with the team longer, but he has never taken a single regular-season snap. He has shown promise during the preseason, with throws that impressed observers and suggested he has developed since returning from personal issues that kept him away from the game.
Simpson, meanwhile, has generated excitement with his performances. In one preseason game, he completed 21 of 25 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Some analysts believe Simpson has the higher ceiling and better long-term trajectory, while others argue Bennett’s familiarity with the offense makes him the safer choice if Stafford misses a game or two. McVay has publicly supported Bennett, and reports suggest he is comfortable with the quarterback’s progress.
Still, the possibility remains that a quarterback-needy team could call the Rams about Bennett’s availability. Analysts have speculated that a fifth-round pick might be enough to make Los Angeles consider moving him if the team believes Simpson is ready. The Rams selected Simpson with an eye toward the future, and some believe he could eventually take over the offense entirely. For now, the job is to back up Stafford and keep a Super Bowl contender stable if the starter is briefly sidelined.
The broader picture for Los Angeles is one of high risk and high reward. With the current roster, the Rams can win the Super Bowl if key players stay healthy. The team has already demonstrated it can convert veteran talent into a championship, and it is betting it can do so again. Adding Donald to the mix would raise the ceiling even higher, potentially making the defense one of the most feared units in the league.
But the margin for error is thin. At this stage of their careers, injuries to Stafford, Adams, or Donald would not just be setbacks; they could trigger a collapse of the entire season. The question facing the Rams is whether they are assembling another championship roster or making one final all-in gamble before their championship window closes.
For now, the answer depends on Donald, the health of their veteran stars, and which quarterback earns the right to step in if something goes wrong.
