Aaron Donald was the elite force in the middle of the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive line for a decade. Now, with rumors of his potential comeback to the Rams’ mighty defense, former Cincinnati Bengals star Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson is struggling to wrap his head around how dangerous the revamped roster could be if Donald officially walks into the 2026 season.
Chad Johnson Hypes Rams’ Scary Squad Amid Aaron Donald’s Comeback Discussion
Donald took part in a workout with the Rams on Wednesday, fuelling speculation about a possible NFL comeback. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Donald wanted to train in a helmet and used team-issued equipment at the Rams’ facility, which required the organization to notify the league.
Donald remained productive during his final NFL season, recording eight sacks across 16 games. While it would likely take time for him to return to game shape, there’s no doubt the former Defensive Player of the Year would be a valuable addition to any NFL roster, even if he’s not functioning at the peak of his powers.
The Rams already made the biggest splash this offseason by securing Myles Garrett, who is arguably the best defensive end in the NFL right now. He is coming off an incredible season with the Cleveland Browns, posting 23 sacks and finishing in the No. 1 spot in the PFN’s Edge Rusher Impact Rankings.
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With Donald’s comeback discussion, Johnson joked on Wednesday’s “Nightcap” podcast that pairing Donald with Garrett would be almost impossible for opponents to handle, comparing it to an overpowered lineup in the Madden video game series.
“Along with Myles Garrett, man,” Johnson said. “Come on, man. That’s like you (are) playing Madden. You can’t run the ball up the middle; you drop back to throw, you’ve got to deal with Myles Garrett. You run the ball, you got to deal with Aaron Donald clogging up the hole.”
Chad ochocinco tells Shannon Sharpe that the LA rams are playing madden a team with aaron donald and Myles Garrett is unfair pic.twitter.com/iIYq50xsLF
— NBA Hoops (@Thechat101) August 6, 2026
Since Donald stepped away following the 2023 season, the Rams have transitioned from a rebuilding team into a legitimate championship contender. Young stars such as Kobie Turner and Byron Young have emerged, helping Sean McVay assemble another Super Bowl-caliber roster.
Because of that progress, Los Angeles does not need to pressure Donald into being ready for Week 1. However, adding him to a defensive front already featuring Garrett would create one of the NFL’s most fierce units, with the duo combining for five of the last nine DPOY honors.
Donald seems focused on determining whether he can get back to what made him one of the most dominant defenders the NFL has ever seen. McVay previously indicated that Donald is expected to make his decision after the Rams return to their regular practice facility, but reading between the lines, it’s only a matter of time until we see Donald terrorize offenses.
