Aaron Donald made the Los Angeles Rams the betting favorite for Super Bowl LXI, officially ending his two-season retirement with a one-year deal this past Sunday. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, back at 35 years old, immediately pairs with Myles Garrett. That’s not just formidable, folks, it’s downright scary for every single opponent this season. The Rams just went from tough to “pure nightmare fuel” overnight, and the league is on notice.
Donald’s Return Turns Rams into a Super Bowl Threat
Nobody knows exactly what kind of player Donald will be after two seasons off the field. You have to wonder about the rust factor at 35 years old. But his viral workout videos and that legendary previous greatness suggest he can absolutely still wreak significant havoc. Opposing offensive lines? They just got handed a whole new set of headaches. Bringing Donald back means the Rams are now loaded up with two of the most disruptive forces in the entire league. Talk about a move that changes everything for the Super Bowl picture; this puts them right at the top of the conversation.
The Toughest Duos Still Trying to Stake a Claim
While the Rams just rocketed to the top, a handful of other defensive duos can still make a serious case for being the NFL’s absolute best. Take the Green Bay Packers with Micah Parsons and Xavier McKinney. They could have been higher on the list, but Parsons is still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last year. He’s on the physically unable to perform list, missing at least the season’s first four games. Once he’s healthy and full speed, Parsons is pure explosiveness as a pass-rusher, a guy who registered at least 12 sacks in each of his five NFL seasons, tallying 65 total. McKinney, meanwhile, is the backbone of that defense. A two-time All-Pro, he’s put up 195 total tackles, 10 interceptions, and 21 defended passes since joining the Packers in 2024. He’s a legitimate playmaker, plain and simple.
Down in Baltimore, the Ravens are built on defense, always have been. Safety Kyle Hamilton and linebacker Roquan Smith are arguably the two best players at their respective positions. Hamilton, at just 25, is a two-time first-team All-Pro with three straight Pro Bowl appearances. He was graded as the fourth-best player in the entire NFL 1000, regardless of position! B/R scout Dan Harms called him a “chameleon” who plays “on every single level” and is “one of the smartest run defenders in the league.” Hamilton was the glue for the Ravens in 2025, keeping them together despite a ton of injuries. Four NFL seasons in, his ceiling is still ridiculous.
This season is shaping up to be a defensive battle for the ages, and these duos are going to be must-watch football. The stakes are sky-high, and it’s only just getting started.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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