Retired DT Aaron Donald still has presence on Rams, but team will 'miss him' in 2024

Sean McVay is preparing for first time as the Los Angeles Rams head coach to play a full season without star defensive tackle Aaron Donald. It’s a void in the interior of the Rams defense that the team has come to terms with just days away from their season opener against the Detroit Lions.

"I want them to play the way that they're capable of the way that they've played throughout the offseason, through training camp. I want them to be able to play within themselves. Go enjoy it,” McVay told reporters this week. “I really love this group that we've been around. We've said it over and over, and you know this too. You're not ever replacing an Aaron Donald and that's not what we're asking of our guys.”

Despite Donald’s retirement in March, the Rams’ all-time sack leader still has a presence and impact on the franchise. McVay tells players stories about Donald and the future Hall of Famer visited the club leading up to Week 1.

“We were so fortunate and blessed to have such a special player in Aaron Donald to be around. What I thought was cool is he set a great example for guys that saw him play,” McVay said. “I can use him as stories all the time. He was around last week.”

While McVay admitted that he misses the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, a player who helped the franchise win Super Bowl 56, he’s happy Donald is enjoying life as a retired athlete.

“It's pretty special that he's earned the right to be able to be so content, complete and full to use his words. He's coaching his son's football team, loving that. His three-year-old son Aaric had a great birthday at their house the other day,” McVay said. “I'm really happy for Aaron. I do miss him but I'm excited about the opportunity for these guys to go do their thing and start to etch their names in this thing."

The Rams selected pass rusher Jared Verse and defensive tackle Braden Fiske with their first two picks in the 2024 NFL draft to help supplement the loss of Donald upfront. The two rookies are projected to start in the Rams’ base 3-4 defense. The team is also hoping returning defensive tackles Kobie Turner, who had a team-high nine sacks in 2023, and Bobby Brown make big impacts.

“I want Kobie Turner to be Kobie Turner. I want Bobby Brown to be Bobby Brown. Braden Fiske to be Braden Fiske,” McVay said. “That's really what we're looking for.”

On offense, wide receiver Cooper Kupp, the 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, is healthy after missing five games last season.

“I think he's done a fantastic job of getting his body back to where he wants it to be as far as feeling good, going out there, running, and doing all the things it takes to be Cooper Kupp,” Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford said. “I'm just happy for him [and] the way that he's feeling.”

Kupp is healthy and that should be a major boon for the Rams. But, as McVay said, they’ll certainly miss No. 99 in 2024 and beyond.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Retired DT Aaron Donald still has presence on Rams, team will miss him