Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay is known not only for his sharp football mind but also for his playful sense of humor. That was on full display recently when he decided to welcome rookie edge rusher Jared Verse with a well-timed prank involving none other than Rams legend Aaron Donald.
During team meetings, McVay jokingly hinted that Donald—who retired after the 2023 season—was planning a surprise return to the field. The announcement immediately caught Verse’s attention, as the former Florida State standout had looked up to Donald as one of the premier defensive players in the NFL. For a moment, Verse believed he might get the chance to line up alongside the future Hall of Famer.
McVay let the suspense build before eventually revealing the truth: it was all a joke.
The prank drew laughter from the team and helped lighten the mood during the early days of training camp. It also served as a playful initiation for Verse, who has high expectations placed on him as the Rams look to rebuild their pass rush following Donald’s retirement.
While Donald isn’t coming back, the prank showed McVay’s commitment to keeping things fun while building team chemistry. And for Verse, it was a moment he won’t soon forget—part welcome to the NFL, part reminder that with the Rams, even the legends are part of the locker room c
ulture.
