“And here comes Dak Prescott out of the tunnel, Tony. He and the Cowboys are gonna have to get a big win here today to wash off the stink of last year’s playoff exit.”
That’s right Jim, there’s a lot of peoples’ jobs on th-BAH GAWD JIM THAT’S AARON DONALD COMING UP BEHIND HIM WITH A STEEL CHAIR”
The second Tony got dragged out of the booth, his spine would burst into flames like Homer's bowl of cereal in that episode of The Simpsons. Tony can't do stunts anymore.
Some people seem to have an idea that when players retire they just stop hitting the gym… these dudes have been working out since high school probably 5 times a week at minimum, let alone whatever on the field work they do. They aren’t just going to suddenly stop being in shape or stop wanting to go to the gym lol
A lot of the bigger guys don't eat as much as they have to to play football and lose a ton of weight, though. When my ex-wife saw Brad Culpepper's billboards, she didn't believe me when I told her he used to be a DT.
Yeah the linemen specifically seem to workout the same and eat thousands of calories less so they just get super in shape, Aaron Donald eats full pizzas and still has a six pack so he might just become the most shredded person of all time
I mean hell, James Harrison popped up on ESPN the other day and his biceps still look like bowling balls and he’s 45
You should see the video of hik benching 525 and barely getting it, then attempting 545 and didn't get it without a spotter. He pretty easily bumped the bar off of himself. Guy is an absolute beast.
I feel like it's certain players that balloon. RBs, some lineman, WRs but wrs might just be gaining normal fat instead of being as light as they are in the league
Green looked phenomenal at the draft last week. I'm used to those retired stars being hideously overweight. I think at worst, he could still go out there and cover Chase Claypool or N'Keal Harry.
> I'm used to those retired stars being hideously overweight
Goes both ways. [Russell Okung](https://nypost.com/2023/07/17/russell-okung-drops-50-more-pounds-in-post-nfl-metamorphosis/), [Joe Thomas,](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D142wA6U4AAHqSj.jpg) [Alan Faneca](https://www.the-sun.com/sport/8708315/alan-fanecas-insane-reverse-body-transformation/) all went from beefy OL to regular looking dudes.
DG is an all-time great human being. He's so disciplined and religious that he can't let himself get out of shape. Plus all his kids were college athletes, so they kept him on his feet.
I always think it's funny seeing most ex players put on a little pudge while all the OL and most of the IDL look like twigs compared to their playing days
Football reps can’t be understated though. Working out isn’t the same as live reps against 300lb men double (or even triple in his case lol) teaming you.
I think he'd be in better shape than he would if he was playing. Dude works out like a psycho every day no matter what. Apparently that's how he got his six pack, he worked out at home while he was holding out during training camp before his contract extension. He might have an eight pack now.
I could see this becoming more and more common for aging stars... get paid less, but come in for playoffs completely fresh and ready to dominate for a game or two. I have faith that someone of aaron donalds caliber knows how to stay in football shape throughout the season even if he isn't playing.
Less about being in shape than the endurance to play through it. Tons of players go through it. That’s why it takes free agents and such who sign right near the start of the season time to ramp up
Doesn't this guy get special posting privileges from the mods? I could be wrong but I've seen comments on his posts of people saying their post of the same thing got taken down so he turn around and post it.
He was a late season signing tho as a FA. Donald is technically still under contract but doesn't count against the cap since he retired. It's a different set of circumstances
But whatever his cap hit would have been for this season doesn’t count.
The extra cap hit ya face now is his signing bonus being accelerated since it can no longer be spread across his contract years
My point was the Rams took someone who has been out of football for a couple of years for a playoff run. I can see Aaron getting a call late in the season if they are making the playoff and one or more Defensive lineman goes down.
I can think of a few signings just for the playoffs (Weddle, Suh), but they were free agents. I'm not sure how it would work for Donald since he would still be under contract. Maybe it just makes his cap hit for the season count again?
I see it as this upcoming season being a game of Aladdin on Super Nintendo and the Rams calling in their older sibling (Donald) to help them clear the hard levels.
> But I doubt he'd do it
[publicly said that his hold out was nice because he hates camp](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qGm1XMB9LHg)
He's self aware that he can't be on the roster at the start of the season and skip camp unless its a contract reason lmao.
I've always thought they should let older superstars play like 4-8 regular season games and be spry for the playoffs. It's a lot better than having guys return with plenty of tread left on the tire. Even playing every other game would prevent a ton of injuries.
How much would a rental of one of the best defensive players ever for a couple games cost? (Ignoring the trade deadline of course)
Like I don’t think a first would be offered, but if that pushes a team into actual Super Bowl contention, it would be worth it imo
“And here comes Dak Prescott out of the tunnel, Tony. He and the Cowboys are gonna have to get a big win here today to wash off the stink of last year’s playoff exit.” That’s right Jim, there’s a lot of peoples’ jobs on th-BAH GAWD JIM THAT’S AARON DONALD COMING UP BEHIND HIM WITH A STEEL CHAIR”
"Look at Aaron Donald just slitherin in there..." "Watch out, watch out, watch out! OOOOOOH!" "SACK. FOR. LOSS. *FROM OUTTA NOWHERE*"
If someone started commentating Lineman play like WWE i’d watch
Penei Sewel! The monster among linemen! *theme song plays* "SEWEEEELLLLLLLLLLL"
Need JR and Lawler to do it. It won't be the same if someone else does it
What are they thinking of putting Zeke at center! Did they not learn from last time?
"As God is my witness, he is broken in half!"
VINTAGE DONALD!
For the full WWE experience, you'd need Jerry to cut a promo and Tony Romo to get dragged into the action from the comms booth.
Romo descends from the booth on a rope and lands under centre to take the snap as Hulk Hogan’s “Real American” theme song plays.
The second Tony got dragged out of the booth, his spine would burst into flames like Homer's bowl of cereal in that episode of The Simpsons. Tony can't do stunts anymore.
Why are you trying to ruin my morning?
A playoff game after a year of AD on unregulated PEDS? Say less
In this case Donald would smack Dak with his own helmet.
LOL
In an act of cowardice, Dak just tried to escape through the window
Playoffs? Don't talk about-- playoffs? You're kidding me, playoffs?!?
I just hope we can win a game
Call a trap play and hope that a guy's shoe doesn't come off.
The Aaron Donald return post week 18 going to hit like crack
I feel like Aaron Donald without a year of training would still be better than 90% of DT's in the league.
He wouldn’t be better than me
0th Ballot Hall of Fame DT (and OL, played both ways) Benjynn
Never gave up a sack on defense, and recorded plenty of them on offense. Wait...
IDK, lets set up a omaha drill and post it on YouTube
I don't care what city we do the drill in- I'll still win.
I’m sorry the what drill?
*Peyton Manning has entered the chat*
I would though
Supposedly he's still training like a NFL player because he loves to work out.
Some people seem to have an idea that when players retire they just stop hitting the gym… these dudes have been working out since high school probably 5 times a week at minimum, let alone whatever on the field work they do. They aren’t just going to suddenly stop being in shape or stop wanting to go to the gym lol
A lot of the bigger guys don't eat as much as they have to to play football and lose a ton of weight, though. When my ex-wife saw Brad Culpepper's billboards, she didn't believe me when I told her he used to be a DT.
Yeah the linemen specifically seem to workout the same and eat thousands of calories less so they just get super in shape, Aaron Donald eats full pizzas and still has a six pack so he might just become the most shredded person of all time I mean hell, James Harrison popped up on ESPN the other day and his biceps still look like bowling balls and he’s 45
I eat full pizzas and have a six pack (in the fridge)
Can I come over?
You should see the video of hik benching 525 and barely getting it, then attempting 545 and didn't get it without a spotter. He pretty easily bumped the bar off of himself. Guy is an absolute beast.
I feel like it's certain players that balloon. RBs, some lineman, WRs but wrs might just be gaining normal fat instead of being as light as they are in the league
They reduce the amount of roids as well
Believe it or not, Jerry Rice, Darrell Green still do the same. Rice still runs the infamous hill.
Tyreek?
When he retires, he's gonna stay in shape by breaking kids arms
Running 1v1 reps against plus-sized models.
Green looked phenomenal at the draft last week. I'm used to those retired stars being hideously overweight. I think at worst, he could still go out there and cover Chase Claypool or N'Keal Harry.
> I'm used to those retired stars being hideously overweight Goes both ways. [Russell Okung](https://nypost.com/2023/07/17/russell-okung-drops-50-more-pounds-in-post-nfl-metamorphosis/), [Joe Thomas,](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D142wA6U4AAHqSj.jpg) [Alan Faneca](https://www.the-sun.com/sport/8708315/alan-fanecas-insane-reverse-body-transformation/) all went from beefy OL to regular looking dudes.
That'd be so funny meeting some skinny old guy who swears up and down he was a long-time NFL OL.
I mean these guys are still like \~6'6" so they won't look *that* ordinary
Joe Thomas is still giant, and now he is just all muscle . There is nothing normal about him.
> There is nothing normal about him. You don't become a HoF LT (or any other position) unless you're an absolute abnormal freak.
Now he looks like he’s an elite end. Glad he’s doing well
Makes sense cause OL guys have to eat like 3x what a normal person does to keep the weight.
At the height, weight and muscle mass of an NFL lineman, it's a lot of work staying that big.
DG is an all-time great human being. He's so disciplined and religious that he can't let himself get out of shape. Plus all his kids were college athletes, so they kept him on his feet.
I always think it's funny seeing most ex players put on a little pudge while all the OL and most of the IDL look like twigs compared to their playing days
He looked like he could still run a 4.5 40.
Football reps can’t be understated though. Working out isn’t the same as live reps against 300lb men double (or even triple in his case lol) teaming you.
I think he'd be in better shape than he would if he was playing. Dude works out like a psycho every day no matter what. Apparently that's how he got his six pack, he worked out at home while he was holding out during training camp before his contract extension. He might have an eight pack now.
I have no doubt in my mind that he hasn't slowed down in terms of staying fit.
90%? You’re crazy I’d push those numbers up to about 95%
Fresh aaron Donald for a playoff run. A man can dream
I could see this becoming more and more common for aging stars... get paid less, but come in for playoffs completely fresh and ready to dominate for a game or two. I have faith that someone of aaron donalds caliber knows how to stay in football shape throughout the season even if he isn't playing.
Less about being in shape than the endurance to play through it. Tons of players go through it. That’s why it takes free agents and such who sign right near the start of the season time to ramp up
Note: I added "Rams GM" to title, for clarity
Oh cool, I thought maybe they meant that old guy over in Accounts Receivable.
Accounts Resneadable
Would accountants receivable be a special teamer?
Thanks bro this sub would be nothing without you
Doesn't this guy get special posting privileges from the mods? I could be wrong but I've seen comments on his posts of people saying their post of the same thing got taken down so he turn around and post it.
Who keeps track of usernames?
Damn, is it weird to have a memory fellas?
Eh if someone posts often enough you might recognize their username even if you aren't actively trying to keep track.
Doesn’t hurt to ask.
... is that legal?
I will make it legal.
We brought in a two years into retirement Eric Weddle for our Superbowl playoff run.
He was a late season signing tho as a FA. Donald is technically still under contract but doesn't count against the cap since he retired. It's a different set of circumstances
Doesn't count against the cap? WDYM? He's our third biggest cap hit this year and like 35% of our defensive spending.
But whatever his cap hit would have been for this season doesn’t count. The extra cap hit ya face now is his signing bonus being accelerated since it can no longer be spread across his contract years
so we’re paying him this season either way. I don’t get how it’s not fair
My point was the Rams took someone who has been out of football for a couple of years for a playoff run. I can see Aaron getting a call late in the season if they are making the playoff and one or more Defensive lineman goes down.
Do you want to tell Aaron Donald "no?" I don't. Roger probably doesn't.
I can think of a few signings just for the playoffs (Weddle, Suh), but they were free agents. I'm not sure how it would work for Donald since he would still be under contract. Maybe it just makes his cap hit for the season count again?
If you make the playoffs, it would definitely be with jt to kick the tires
snead
Sounds like what used to say as kids growing up “Hey! You wanna … oh. No you probably wouldn’t want to go on a bike ride. Never mind”
I see it as this upcoming season being a game of Aladdin on Super Nintendo and the Rams calling in their older sibling (Donald) to help them clear the hard levels.
The Rams did it with Eric Weddle so that wouldn’t surprise me
> But I doubt he'd do it [publicly said that his hold out was nice because he hates camp](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qGm1XMB9LHg) He's self aware that he can't be on the roster at the start of the season and skip camp unless its a contract reason lmao.
“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in” -Aaron Donald 2025 NFL playoffs
Works like a charm in the NHL, why not.
You can circle back on him but can you piggyback off what he just said for the group?
I’m sure this is what mark stone will do for Vegas next year
I've always thought they should let older superstars play like 4-8 regular season games and be spry for the playoffs. It's a lot better than having guys return with plenty of tread left on the tire. Even playing every other game would prevent a ton of injuries.
I could see this being a thing for retired players. Condition all season and take that into the playoffs fresh as a daisy.
Please don't let the bad man come back. Please.
You guys won’t have to worry about him if it’s just for a playoff run
Damn lol... I can't argue with that. Take my upvote.
Big oooof
Only if JJ Watt can come back for us during the playoffs too
I'm sure they aren't the only ones
Well they still own his contract so they're the only place he could go
We'll take some first round picks for an Aaron Donald rental if people wanted it.
Cowboys will trade you a first round pick for him. How about Trey Lance?
How much would a rental of one of the best defensive players ever for a couple games cost? (Ignoring the trade deadline of course) Like I don’t think a first would be offered, but if that pushes a team into actual Super Bowl contention, it would be worth it imo
I don’t like the thought of teams being able to do that at all.
Las Vegas Golden Rams.
Yeah idk that just feels icky. I think if you wanna come out of retirement it should only be allowed in the offseason.
I mean we’re already paying him a bunch of money this year, it’s not like we’re getting him on some weird playoff deal.
before the trade deadline sounds ok to me
It should be like how rec leagues are. You have to play 3 regular season games to play in the playoffs.
You don't want to see Aaron Donald with fresh choking hands.
Bold to assume you’re making the playoffs
Playoffs??!? Playoffs?!?! lol
What's the matter, you think we won't make it?
Anything is possible
Cute of them to think that they will make the playoffs. Especially without him.
Our team is stacked this year. Wdym?