Sean McVay on Aaron Donald’s retirement: ‘A lot of people are probably happy that he retired, other than people on the Rams’

For the first time in a decade, the Rams defense will prepare for a season without Aaron Donald.

Head coach Sean McVay realizes Los Angeles can't hope to replace the retired Donald, but he hopes April's draft will hopefully be a step in starting to fill the void. Speaking with NFL Network's Steve Wyche at the Annual League Meeting on Sunday, McVay acknowledged that the best way the Rams can reload their defense will be in continuing with free agency and through the 2024 NFL Draft.

"We are trying to add guys as we speak. The draft will be big," McVay told Wyche. "You have a vision of how you want it to unfold but there are 31 other teams that always have a say. I think once we get our players in place [defensive coordinator Chris] Shula and his defensive staff have done a great job of setting the foundation, but you are not naïve to the fact that you are replacing this guy."

There's no doubt that moving beyond Donald is going to be a tough challenge for McVay and the Rams. But what Los Angeles has been able to do recently in the late rounds of drafts on both sides of the ball has been impressive. In 2023, the Rams selected defensive lineman Kobie Turner, who had nine sacks as a rookie, and wide receiver Puka Nacua in the third- and fifth-round, respectively. Nacua had a sensational year as he set a new rookie record for receiving yards and receptions.

Still, the process to build the line back up to dominance will take time, as will building up new relationships as Donald walks into the sunset in retirement. McVay opened up to Wyche regarding his dynamic with the star defensive tackle.

"You know what I'll tell you this, Steve. Aaron and I have such a special relationship," McVay said. "You know being around somebody as long as