Aug 31, 2026 · 2h 16m
Rams bet on Aaron Donald as contenders reshape NFL divisions
AFC & NFC East, OPOY predictions, Aaron Donald signs with Rams, Howie Long joins, Chiefs rebuild?
The episode tests whether Los Angeles can turn Donald’s return into a championship push while broader roster and quarterback questions unsettle the league’s divisions.
- 1Aaron Donald’s return raises the Rams’ ceiling, but age, depth, Stafford’s durability, and offensive-line uncertainty keep them from looking dominant.
- 2The panel sees Cincinnati as dangerous with a healthy Joe Burrow, while Kansas City may be retooling around Patrick Mahomes.
- 3Division predictions split over Buffalo, New England, Philadelphia, Washington, and a possible Giants surge behind Jackson Dart.
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Howie Long’s discussion of Aaron Donald’s retirement comeback clarifies the conditioning, preparation, and deployment challenges behind his Rams return.
The brief
Aaron Donald’s return immediately changes the Rams’ outlook, but the panel rejects easy undefeated-season talk, pointing instead to Matthew Stafford’s age, roster depth, and defensive additions.
The Bengals’ contender case rests on a healthy Joe Burrow and an average defense, while Offensive Player of the Year predictions turn on workload, quarterback play, and receiver production.
Patrick Mahomes faces a cautious Week One outlook as Kansas City’s young roster, offensive line, pass rush, and pass catchers fuel a debate over rebuilding versus retooling.
Howie Long joins to explain the physical and mental challenge of returning from retirement, assess Donald’s deployment, and identify Cincinnati and New Orleans as sleeper teams.
The division forecasts produce sharp disagreements: Buffalo leads the AFC East, Philadelphia remains a playoff question, and the Giants emerge as a surprising 10- or 11-win possibility.
The episode closes by returning to Rams-49ers, asking whether Donald’s presence can disrupt Brock Purdy and San Francisco’s interior offensive line immediately.