Aaron Donald’s return to the NFL has immediately raised expectations for the Los Angeles Rams. After spending roughly two-and-a-half years away from the game, Donald is coming back to a Rams defense that has already added some serious firepower.
With reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett and All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie also on the roster, the Rams have quickly emerged as one of the NFC’s biggest Super Bowl contenders.
John Middlekauff Questions Rams’ Chemistry
Still, former NFL scout John Middlekauff is not ready to make the Rams his pick to win it all. Middlekauff understands why Donald decided to return. At 35, the veteran believes he can still play at a high level, and the Rams have built a roster capable of making a deep playoff run.
The bigger concern is how Donald will fit into a defense where Garrett is now arguably the top player.
“All the sports, chemistry matters. You bring this guy in now. He’s a great teammate, but like Myles Garrett now is the best player on the defense. But Aaron Donald is clearly the alpha, the leader,” he said.
“I’m NOT going to pick them to win the Super Bowl.”@JohnMiddlekauff reacts to Aaron Donald’s return and explains why he’s not sold on the Rams’ chances despite their star-studded offseason. pic.twitter.com/ozaB5js5jS
— 3 & OUT with John Middlekauff (@3andout_pod) August 31, 2026
Middlekauff believes that differences in personality and leadership could make the situation interesting. He also brought up previous reports about Garrett’s leadership during his time with the Cleveland Browns, contrasting them with Donald’s reputation for his work ethic and preparation.
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“Let’s face it, I mean, there was an article in The Athletic last year when they gave Myles Garrett the extension. Like, we need him to show up on time. We need him to be kind of a better leader. That’s the opposite of Aaron Donald,” Middlekauff said.
For Middlekauff, the question isn’t whether the Rams have enough talent. They clearly do. The bigger issue is whether all those stars can come together and function as one cohesive unit. That’s why he isn’t ready to pick the Rams to win the Super Bowl.
“I’m fascinated to see how this plays. I’m not going to pick them to win the Super Bowl. I just don’t think it really works like that. Football’s a game of chemistry. It’s a game of cohesion. You just put a team together overnight,” he added.
Middlekauff doesn’t believe Los Angeles’ collection of stars automatically guarantees success. According to PFN’s DT Impact Score, Donald ranked as the best defensive tackle in the league for seven straight seasons (2015 to 2021).
On paper, pairing Donald with Garrett gives the Rams one of the most intimidating defensive fronts in recent memory. But whether that talent translates into a dominant unit will depend on how well the two stars handle their roles and leadership responsibilities.
For now, Middlekauff sees the Rams as an intriguing experiment rather than a sure-fire Super Bowl favorite.
