A career defined by consistency and dominance
Donald’s first decade in the league was marked by relentless production and near-constant recognition. His resume from 2014 through 2023 reads like a highlight reel of elite interior play:
– 2014: Defensive Rookie of the Year, Pro Bowl
– 2015: First-Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl
– 2016: First-Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl
– 2017: First-Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl, Defensive Player of the Year
– 2018: First-Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl, Defensive Player of the Year
– 2019: First-Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl
– 2020: First-Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl, Defensive Player of the Year
– 2021: First-Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl, Super Bowl champion
– 2022: Pro Bowl
– 2023: First-Team All-Pro, Pro Bowl
Altogether, Donald accrued 10 Pro Bowls, eight First-Team All-Pro selections, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, a Defensive Rookie of the Year honor, and a Super Bowl title. Across 154 career games with the Rams, he logged 111 sacks, 543 tackles, 176 tackles for loss, and 256 quarterback hits, with double-digit sacks in six seasons and a Pro Football Focus grade of at least 90 in every campaign of his original stint.
A strategic return for a Supercharged front
Donald’s comeback arrives at a time when the Rams’ defensive front is already high-caliber. They previously added a transformative presence in Myles Garrett, who earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2025 and set the NFL single-season sack record with 23. Garrett’s presence means the front line can draw significant attention, potentially allowing Donald to work with more favorable one-on-one opportunities than at many points in his early career.
This dynamic could help Donald maximize his remaining prime years as he re-enters the league at age 35. In his last season prior to retirement, he was still performing at an elite level, earning First-Team All-Pro honors and posting eight sacks alongside 23 quarterback hits.
The stage is set for an intriguing return to action, with Donald rejoining a Rams team that remains capable of competing at a high level. As he resumes his NFL career, all eyes will be on how the 35-year-old impact disrupts opposing offenses and how he coordinates with a revamped defensive front to sustain the Rams’ defensive prowess.
