By Enwereji Amuruche
There were rumors swirling immediately following the LA Rams Super Bowl win that both veteran Aaron Donald and head coach Sean McVay were going to retire.
No one knows whether it was the feeling of total satisfaction crowning what would be a HOF career for Donald or if it was simply fan rumors, but the news definitely made headlines. In fact, it was reported that Donald submitted a retirement letter, but it was never sent to the NFL. This may have been simply pressure from Donald on the Rams front office to rework his contract for a two-year extension.
How things have changed.
Fast forward to week 13 of the new season and the champions sit at the bottom of the NFC West with a 3-8 record. There were many who speculated that Mcvay’s stay in the NFL was tied to his core player group of quarterback Matthew Stafford, corner Jalen Ramsey, receiver Cooper Kupp and Donald. The news that Stafford has been moved to IR due to a neck injury after clearing concussion protocol for the second time this season, comes at a terrible time for the current champions. It follows the news that Super Bowl MVP receiver Cooper Kupp’s season is in danger due to ankle surgery along with the news that Donald’s ankle sprain suffered during the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs will keep him out of the Seahawks game as well. To top it off, Ramsey, who boasts a HOF worthy career, has been far from his best this season.
Sean McVay just got smoked by his own player on the sideline pic.twitter.com/4f7Nb5BntF
— Ben Brown 🌻 (@BenBrownPL) November 27, 2022
Can the Rams season be salvaged? It is beginning to look like McVay & Co. are already planning for the 2023-24 season.