Aaron Donald has been doing his best to refute the reports he would retire if the Los Angeles Rams won Super Bowl LVI. At the Super Bowl parade, Donald said he would “run it back” with an opportunity to win a world championship again.
Donald doubled down on his statement, if the Rams bring back these two players for next season.
“I’m gonna enjoy the moment. We bring everybody back, I’m back,” Donald said to TMZ after the parade. “Odell Beckham, Von Miller, we bring them guys back, let’s make it happen.”
Beckham and Miller are both scheduled to hit free agency this offseason, both were acquired by the Rams in midseason. Los Angeles signed Beckham after he was released by the Cleveland Browns and acquired Miller from the Denver Broncos in exchange for a 2022 second-round and third-round draft pick.
Beckham turned his 2021 season around since signing with the Rams after an ugly breakup from the Browns, recording 27 catches for 305 yards and five touchdowns in eight games. He had 21 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns in four postseason games, having two catches for 52 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl LVI before going down with a knee injury.
Based on the severity of Beckham’s ACL injury, the Rams should be able to retain him in a “prove-it” deal when he eventually does return to the field. Miller will be harder to retain based on his stint with the Rams.
Miller became his dominant self once again in Los Angeles, recording 31 tackles, five sacks, eight quarterback hits, and 12 tackles for loss in eight games with the Rams. Including the playoffs, Miller’s 18 tackles for loss since Week 10 were tied for first in the NFL — with Donald.
Having Miller return would easily convince Donald to come back in 2022 and prolong retirement, especially with how dominant the two were in their short stint together.
