Lions’ HC Dan Campbell breathes easier facing Aaron Donald-less Rams in Week 1 opener

The Detroit Lions open their 2024 campaign with a primetime game against the Los Angeles Rams at Ford Field. It's a rematch of their Wild Card thriller from earlier in the year, where the Lions beat the Rams 24-23 to advance to the Divisional round of the playoffs.

Unbeknownst to anyone at the time, that incredible game was Aaron Donald's final outing as a Ram. The defensive juggernaut announced in March that he wouldn't return for the 2024 season and was calling it a day on his incredible career.

Fans will sorely miss the three-time Defensive Player of the Year, but Lions coach Dan Campbell is glad he no longer has to devise a gameplan to thwart him. During his media availability on Monday, Campbell was asked whether Donald's absence affected their preparation. He responded,

"Yeah, it is different. You always had to account for him. You needed to know where he was at all times, really on all downs... So yes, that's nice not to have to necessarily worry about him."

Campbell noted his offensive line shifted based on where Donald lined up. He explained that the guard and the tackle had to double-team the Rams superstar, making it difficult for them to set the edge.

The Lions coach is ecstatic that his offensive line can now focus on their individual assignments rather than monitoring Donald's whereabouts. Most NFL coaches concur with Campbell's assessment.

The defensive end was among the most menacing disrupters as a pass-rusher and run-blocker. His retirement was a welcome sight for the league's offensive coordinators and linemen.

Aaron Donald's Hall of Fame career

Aaron Donald is among the best defensive players of the 21st century. He came into the league in 2014 and immediately made his mark, winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and earning a Pro Bowl nod.

The following year, he established himself as one of the most feared defensive linemen in the league with 11 sacks, 22 tackles for losses and one fumble recovery. He won his first Defensive Player of the Year award in 2017 and became only the third player in NFL history after Lawrence Taylor and J.J. Watt to win the award in back-to-back years.

He finished the 2018 season with a career-high 20.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss. He reclaimed the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2020, joining Taylor and Watt as the only three-time recipients of the coveted prize.

At that point, the only accolade missing from his trophy cabinet was a Super Bowl ring, which he earned with his exceptional display in the 2021 playoffs. He pressured Jimmy Garoppolo into throwing the game-ending interception in the NFC Championship Game. During the final minute of the Super Bowl, he hit and spun Joe Burrow, preventing him from completing a pass on 4th-and-1 to seal the win.

Donald announced his retirement after two relatively down years by his lofty standards in 2022 and 2023. The defensive lineman finished his career with 111 sacks and 176 tackles for losses.

He'll now wait five years for his golden jacket and enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.