Like many Hollywood studios, the Los Angeles Rams are launching a reboot.
On Sunday, defensive lineman Aaron Donald, who last played in 2023, came out of retirement and signed a one-year deal with the Rams worth up to $30M, making the team an even bigger Super Bowl favorite. As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook lists the NFC West squad’s championship odds at +500. It will begin its championship chase Sept. 10 in Melbourne against the San Francisco 49ers (Netflix, 8:35 p.m. ET).
Future Hall of Famer Donald joins an already stacked pass-rush that features linebackers Myles Garrett and Byron Young and defensive ends Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske. The star-studded unit may remind NFL history buffs of another Rams defense: the Fearsome Foursome.
Who were the Fearsome Foursome?
The Fearsome Foursome starred for the Rams from 1963-66. The nearly unblockable unit included DEs Deacon Jones (HOFer) and Lamar Lundy and DTs Merlin Olsen (HOFer) and Rosey Grier. The group never won a championship during its tenure in L.A. but is widely regarded as one of the best defensive lines in NFL history, alongside the Steel Curtain (Pittsburgh Steelers) and the Purple People Eaters (Minnesota Vikings).
Jones became the most well-known member of the D-line after coining the term sack. His sack total remains inexact as it didn’t become an official stat until 1982. Pro Football Reference credits him with the third-most sacks (173.5), behind fellow HOFers Reggie White (198) and Bruce Smith (200) on its unofficial career sack leaders list, which includes players since 1960.