The NFL pre-season is in full swing, with all 32 teams taking to the field, and several key storylines are emerging. One of the most significant is the potential return of Aaron Donald, the legendary Rams defensive player, who has been working out with the team despite being retired for over two years. Donald's possible comeback has sparked excitement among fans, especially with the Rams' recent acquisition of Myles Garrett, the NFL sack leader from last season. However, Donald has yet to confirm his return, and Rams head coach Sean McVay is keen to avoid putting pressure on him.
"He looked great, and he's still going through his process," McVay said. "We've had a plan in place for a while, and the workout was part of that.
He's feeling good, but we're not ready to say if he's ready to return or not." With just four weeks left until the start of the regular season, Donald's decision is eagerly anticipated. Another high-profile storyline is the battle for the starting quarterback position in Cleveland between Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson.
New head coach Todd Monken has given Watson the start in the pre-season opener, but Sanders will start the next game, indicating that the competition is still open. "We'll see both of them play," Monken said. "One will start this week, and the other will start next week." Watson, 30, has had a tumultuous tenure with the Browns, marked by injuries and controversy, including a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023 and a suspension for 11 games in 2022. Sanders, on the other hand, is a promising young player who started seven games as a rookie last season but posted middling numbers.
The next four pre-season games will be crucial in determining the starting quarterback for the Browns and potentially the future of both Sanders and Watson. Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, Kirk Cousins is facing a challenge from rookie Fernando Mendoza, the No 1 pick in this year's draft, who is breathing down his neck for the starting quarterback position. Cousins, a four-time pro-bowler, has been running the first-team offense, but Mendoza is working with the second team and has impressed the coaching staff with his preparation and adjustment to the game. "He's continuing to grow," Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said.
"It's been a really impressive training camp, and he's done a good job of adjusting to the field." With the regular season just around the corner, these storylines will be worth watching as the NFL pre-season unfolds.