The Los Angeles Rams bounced back from a 1-4 start last season to finish 10-7 en route to a first-place finish in the NFC West.
The team then made some noise in the playoffs with a convincing win over the Minnesota Vikings before falling just short of the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
It was the Rams’ first season in a decade without Aaron Donald, who retired after a Hall of Fame career.
Donald still kept tabs on his former team and believes they will be even better in 2025, highlighting the continuity on defense, via Brian Jones of On3:
“A better year,” Aaron Donald told On3 and other reporters. “Obviously, the offense is going to be stand-packed. Still got a lot of veteran guys, a lot of good players. But when it pertained to the defense, had a young defense that pressed a lot of people. Now they’re coming back for a second year together. They got that experience with each other.
“I know they’re going to be that much better with each other. The more you play with the team, play with guys, the more comfortable you feel. You understand. How to play off guys, and do things like that. So I’m hoping that it’s going to be a better year than what it was last year, and it was a pretty good year. So I’m just going to be, as a fan in the stands, or on the couch watching, cheering them on. That’s it. But sky’s the limit for them guys.”
The Rams defense was a pleasant surprise in 2024, with rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske completely transforming the team’s pass rush.
The unit really came into its own during the second half of the season and should only continue getting better with many key contributors returning this year.
There is also a lot of excitement surrounding the Rams offense, with Matthew Stafford coming back as the starting quarterback and Davante Adams forming a dynamic duo with Puka Nacua at wide receiver.
Rams announce Aaron Donald celebration game on Nov. 23
The Rams announced that on Sunday, Nov. 23, they will celebrate the legacy of Aaron Donald. The team will host a halftime ceremony during their Sunday Night Football matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, kicking off at 5:20 p.m. PT.
Celebrations will include an exclusive, limited-edition Donald bobblehead giveaway for the first 60,000 fans in attendance upon entry at gates, in addition to the halftime recognition ceremony.
“Aaron Donald is one of the greatest Rams of all time and we can’t wait to come together with our fans to thank him for everything he’s done for our organization, our city and our game,” said Los Angeles Rams General Manager Les Snead. “It will be an honor to recognize Aaron on the very field where he sealed our Super Bowl win.”
