East Rutherford, NJ — December 31, 2023 -- Puka Nacua of the Rams in the first half. The New York Giants host the Los Angeles Rams on December 31, 2023 at at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
Los Angeles Rams’ star Cooper Kupp opens door to potential Aaron Donald return.
Aaron Donald announced his retirement this offseason after 10 seasons in the NFL, with one of his Los Angeles Rams teammates opening the door to a potential return to the field at some point.
Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Cooper Kupp has dropped a hint that there’s still a spot waiting for Aaron Donald if he opts to come out of retirement this season.
Donald, touted as perhaps the finest defensive figure in NFL history, stunned fans with his retirement announcement after an illustrious 10-season stint in the league, where he remained one of the most disruptive defensive linemen from last season.
Although Donald’s departure sends shivers up the spine when considering the team’s prospective fate this season, Kupp recently revealed in an interview with NFL Network that Aaron’s locker remains “up and ready if he ever wants to come back”.
Kupp further added, offering a heartfelt note on Donald’s retirement: “I’m so happy for him… but if he ever wanted to come back he’s more than welcome.”
As the Rams grapple with Donald’s void on their defensive line, they’ve turned their focus towards assembling a fresh talent roster. They’ve roped in Florida State defensive end Jared Verse in the first round solar and have backed it up by drafting Braden Fiske, Verse’s college comrade, in the second round, reports the Mirror US.
The Rams, initially viewed as underdogs for the 2023 season, defied expectations by finishing with a commendable 10-7 record and clinching a playoff spot. After an eventful season, Donald spent several months contemplating his future before announcing his retirement in March, making it clear that he had no plans to pursue a career in media or coaching post-retirement.
