Aaron Donald came out of retirement to chase another Super Bowl championship, not to watch the Rams struggle to start the season, get decimated by injuries and week in and week out find increasingly creative ways to lose football games. 

But nearly two months into his improbable NFL comeback, the future Hall of Fame defensive tackle has quickly learned that even the best-laid plans can come unraveled in a hurry. 

When Donald decided to return after nearly three years away from football, the Rams were considered legitimate Super Bowl contenders. The opportunity to play alongside reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett was among the biggest attractions. So was playing in the Super Bowl inside SoFi Stadium again, the place where Donald last won a championship in February 2022. 

Instead, Garrett has spent most of the season on injured reserve, Donald has yet to officially record a solo sack and the Rams stumbled to a 2-4 start punctuated by heartbreaking finishes, questionable coaching decisions and an embarrassing loss to the Cardinals.

Asked Thursday whether this was what he envisioned when he decided to come out of retirement, Donald offered a candid response.

“You never know what to expect,” Donald said. “But we’re here. Been ups and downs, but overall, playing ball. That’s football.”

It was a surprisingly simple assessment of a season that has been anything but.

Even Sunday’s 35-21 victory over the Raiders, which improved the Rams to 3-4, couldn’t erase the frustration of their disastrous start.

Donald, however, insists his comeback was never about padding his Hall of Fame résumé.

“No, I ain’t come back for no individual stats,” Donald said. “I would love to have some stats, but I’m here to just play the game.”

The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year has already accomplished virtually everything an individual player can achieve.

“I ain’t come back to try to earn no individual accolades or anything,” Donald said. “I did that. I accomplished that. Don’t excite me. Only thing that excites me is winning.”

For Donald, the championship chase remains alive. But the road back to the Super Bowl has proven considerably more difficult than anyone could have imagined. 

A victory on Sunday against the winless Chargers will get the Rams back to .500 and hopefully closer to the playoffs than they were two weeks ago.

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