Aaron Donald’s Rams honeymoon is over as Broncos, Bo Nix await in Denver

Aaron Donald got his homecoming. 

He got the roar of the Rams’ crowd. The pregame introduction out of the tunnel that sent goosebumps down the arms of 78,000 screaming fans. He got the kind of reception that is reserved for franchise royalty. 

Nearly three years after his last NFL snap, Donald was able to soak in the love from Rams’ fans who probably never imagined they would ever see No. 99 in a uniform again. 

“This is a blessing,” Donald said Thursday. “You never take nothing for granted.”

Donald’s return was everything it should have been and more. 

But now the honeymoon is over. 

When Donald takes the field in Denver for the first time since 2018, it won’t be about nostalgia anymore. Nobody inside Empower Field at Mile High is going to celebrate Donald’s comeback or care how good it felt to put the pads on again. Bo Nix certainly won’t care. 

Donald’s first game back proved he can still play NFL football. He played 32 snaps, had three tackles, one for loss, 18 pass rush snaps, one QB pressure and was double-teamed seven times. 

Those statistics should improve in his second game and by the end of 60 minutes in Denver, we should have a better idea of how much of the old Aaron Donald is still left in the tank. 

And nobody appears more interested in finding out that answer than Donald himself. 

The future Hall of Famer admitted he watched the film of his Rams return against the New York Giants a whopping six times. 

Donald said he was studying his movements, dissecting his mistakes and comparing what he saw against film of himself from years ago.

“Just breaking myself down, watching myself,” Donald said. “What I could have done better, things I did right, ways I can clean little things up, seeing where I’m at right now.”

Defensive coordinator Chris Shula saw something different.

“He might tell you differently, but I thought he looked excellent,” Shula said. “He was awesome. He put a lot of pressure on the quarterback.”

Therein lies the absurd standard Donald has created for himself.

The Rams see a 35-year-old defensive tackle returning after nearly three years away from the game and immediately disrupting an NFL offense. Donald sees mistakes, but is encouraged by what he saw of himself in his six viewings. 

“I think I’m on the right pace,” Donald said. “Pretty confident where I’m at right now.”

Good, because the degree of difficulty is about to increase.

Nix presents a different problem than veteran backup Jameis Winston did. Nix can escape the pocket, extend plays with his feet and punish a defensive front that gets reckless chasing him. Donald called him a “big quarterback” capable of making big throws, but it was Nix’s mobility that seemed to have caught his attention.

“A lot of these quarterbacks now are mobile, can move around, make your job a lot harder as a rusher,” Donald said.

Shula was even more emphatic, calling Nix “the ultimate competitor” who will make plays off-schedule, attack downfield and “fight for every single yard.”

The Rams revamped defense will face a tough test in the Broncos offense. They will have to remain disciplined. Pressure the quarterback without allowing escape lanes. The secondary has to keep speedy wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in front of them, because he’s capable of turning one busted coverage into six points. 

Thankfully, the Rams have All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie now. 

Donald admitted he usually doesn’t spend much time watching defensive backs when he watches film, but McDuffie stood out immediately. 

“He caught my eye,” Donald said. “He’s something special, man.”

If McDuffie spends significant time dealing with Waddle, Donald and the Rams’ pass rush can make his afternoon considerably easier by preventing Nix from extending plays.

Another element that could affect Donald, and frankly all of the Rams, is the altitude. 

Denver has the highest elevation stadium in the NFL at exactly one mile above sea level. 

The thinner air causes footballs to travel further on kicks and deep passes, while visiting teams experience increased fatigue. 

Donald hasn’t played at altitude since 2018, and when asked how his body will respond, he didn’t pretend to know.

“I’ve got to go out there and see,” he said.

Donald pointed to the Rams defensive line rotation as a place of importance in the altitude. The Rams have a plethora of players in their interior defense including Donald, Kobie Turner, Poona Ford, Braden Fiske and Tyler Davis. Rotating them and keeping them fresh, especially when they become fatigued will be vital.

If Monday night was all about Donald rediscovering football and the Rams fans being introduced to him, then Sunday in Denver is where he goes back to work. 

The celebration is finished. The nostalgia can wait for another day, it’s time for Donald to be an everyday football player again.

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