The LA Rams just gave Aaron Donald something to believe in

When the LA Rams witnessed the utter disappointment of their star All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald after the loss in the 2020 Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs, the team knew that it had to act quickly and decisively.  What better way than to add an equally impressive All-Pro defender, none other than former Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller.

Von Miller not only brings a new dimension to the LA Rams defense, but he is the type of player who can mention and aid even a player of the magnitude and proficiency as that of Aaron Donald. He is not a spotlight seeker. Rather he is a laid-back veteran of many NFL wars whose career speaks for itself.

And now, he has all of his NFL experience to share with the LA Rams players. He has all of those years of experience to showcase in a Rams uniform. And he has a bit of a score to settle.

Von Miller was traded away by the Denver Broncos. For all of the other messages and reasons you can give, the crux of this trade was about the Broncos no longer believing that Miller is a difference-maker, and the Rams believing that he is.

The Von Miller effect

Aaron Donald has reached a plateau in his career that makes it very difficult to accept advice from other NFL players. He is one of the few players who is virtually guaranteed a spot in the NFL Hall of Fame while he continues to perform in the prime of his career. But he will accept advice from Von Miller, a player who has raised the bar at his position for others to try to match.

Adding Von Miller gives the Rams pass rush a trio of stars who are all capable of sacking the quarterback 10+ times in a season. In nine games played the Rams have sacked quarterbacks 28 times already. Now, with Von Miller, they could up the ante and end the season flirting with 60 sacks.

It’s not as though Miller will chip in with 20 sacks for the Rams. Nowhere close. But his presence will take the pressure off Aaron Donald, who can now put up numbers similar to those achieved when Ndamukong Suh was his teammate in 2018. And with Donald on a rampage, the Rams will get excellent production out of Greg Gaines, A’shawn Robinson, Terrell Lewis, and more.

Von Miller is going to be better than the brochure. You needn’t take my word for it.  Just check back to the smiles on Aaron Donald’s face. Or better yet, just listen to Von Miller cite how he has been double and triple-teamed through his career. This is going to be a friendly rivalry. I think he will be an exciting addition to this team’s defense.