The celebrated Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams is recognized by many descriptions: a Super Bowl victor, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year recipient, a 10-time Pro Bowler participant, and a sure inclusion in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is also known as a dedicated athlete.
Throughout his decade-long NFL journey, Donald showcased a formidable physique, and by all indications, he has consistently maintained his exercise regimen. Recently, Jared Verse, a prominent player for the current Rams team, decided to train alongside Donald, an experience that appears to have left a lasting impression on him.
Verse shared with reporters this week that following warm-up exercises, he embarked on the “Donald circuit,” which consisted of four rounds of cardio workouts encompassing the Stairclimber, bike, lunges, and core exercises. Subsequently, they transitioned to “approximately eight distinct workouts” focusing on core strength, after which Donald inquired whether Verse was prepared for the main workout.
It would be more effective if Verse described the unfolding events:
As the “main workout commenced,” Verse began strategizing his means of departure. He even mentioned, jokingly, the possibility of contacting law enforcement.
“His spouse entered the room and chuckled at my predicament, prompting me to urge her to summon the authorities,” Verse recounted. “I assure you, I’m being entirely serious. I requested her to call the police, but she declined. I even attempted to fabricate a situation involving my mother’s arrival at my residence and my need to grant her entry. However, he instructed me to hand over my keys to his manager or assistant, who would then proceed to allow my mother inside. Consequently, I was unable to leave…”
Verse mentioned afterward that his plans for the remainder of the day were disrupted. His intention to utilize the sauna and review game footage was thwarted, and he refrained from exercising for a subsequent thirty-six hours.
Observe his facial expression in this visual!
Should Donald succeed in fully integrating Verse into his training approach, the Rams might potentially possess another future Hall of Fame inductee. Following a season in which he amassed 66 total tackles, 4.5 quarterback sacks, 11 tackles resulting in a loss of yardage, 18 quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles, Verse earned a spot in the Pro Bowl and was recognized as the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024. His 77 pressures on the quarterback represented the second-highest total recorded by a rookie since 2017, the year in which such data began being tracked.
The alumnus of Florida State elevated his performance throughout the Rams’ postseason campaign. Verse made two tackles and recovered a fumble, advancing it 57 yards for a touchdown during the wild-card victory against the Minnesota Vikings. Furthermore, he registered two sacks and four tackles in the divisional round against the Philadelphia Eagles. He became the first rookie to achieve two sacks in a playoff contest since Nick Bosa in 2018.
This youthful Rams defensive squad is a significant factor in Los Angeles being viewed as a contender in 2025. According to research conducted by CBS Sports, Verse, Braden Fiske, Byron Young, and Kobie Turner collectively accounted for 226 pressures last season, ranking as the second-highest total among any group of four players in the NFL. Remarkably, all four of these athletes were selected in the most recent two NFL drafts.
If Verse’s offseason training sessions yield favorable results, the Rams will emerge as a team deserving close observation this year.
