Aaron Donald Invites Jared Verse to the ‘Old Man Retirement Workout’ and It’s Glorious Chaos

Alright, buckle up, because the Los Angeles Rams’ offseason drama just leveled up from “meh” to “absolute legend.” Imagine this: Jared Verse, the starry-eyed rookie sensation who blitzed his way into everyone’s hearts last season, had the audacity to say—wait for it—that the Rams’ defensive demigod Aaron Donald, fresh off retiring like a boss, was “not ready” to work out with him. Oh, Jared. Did you think you just threw down a gauntlet? Spoiler alert: you hadn’t seen Donald’s version of a gauntlet yet.

Here’s where the saga gets delicious. Aaron Donald—the three-time Defensive Player of the Year (and a man who could probably bench-press your emotional baggage)—posted a video straight to his Instagram story that had me cackling like I just found out my cat is secretly plotting against me. In it, he’s basically saying, “Hey Verse, come try my ‘old man retirement workout.’ Let’s see what you got.” And by “old man workout,” he means some sinister concoction of weights, cardio, and probably a sprinkle of existential dread that only a 10-time Pro Bowler turned retired titan can dish out.

The message was clear. Donald’s not just flexing after retirement; he’s issuing a challenge. The kind that makes you question your life choices, your snack habits, and whether you should have signed up for yoga instead. Donald’s exact words? “I’m looking for you, Verse… Come to the house. I just wanna talk. Play with a little weights. Do a little cardio. You know, the old man retirement workout. Let’s put you through it, let’s see what you can do.” Yeah, talk softly and carry a big dumbbell, as they say.

Now, let’s get our timelines straight here. Donald retired after his tenth straight Pro Bowl appearance—not like your local gym rat fading after a couple months—and Jared Verse was drafted after that retirement parade. So if you thought these two passed gas in the same Rams locker room, nope. They never even shook hands on a Monday morning after a brutal game. Verse didn’t get to bask in the glory of playing alongside this defensive colossus. Instead, this is every young pup’s dream: Getting directly schooled by the legend without even sharing the field. It’s like the Jedi Master showing up to Luke after the Death Star exploded, but before any of the annoying kid stuff happened.

But this isn’t a one-and-done situation. Jared Verse isn’t just some rookie gawking at a relic. He was schooled early by Donald during a Zoom call back in his Albany University days—because of course, how else would a phenom get advice from the GOAT? And don’t think Donald hasn’t been watching; he congratulated Verse after he snagged the Defensive Rookie of the Year crown in 2024, a whopping decade after Donald himself won the award. Donald’s words? The hall-of-fame kind of stuff: “Congrats, man. Well deserved, bro. Let’s keep it up. We ain’t satisfied. We still hungry, though.”

This little back-and-forth is like an intergenerational transfer of defensive domination, with Donald passing the torch but still keeping his claws sharp enough to intimidate the kid.

Now, let’s break down what this all means. Jared Verse had an exceptional rookie campaign, flashing insane speed and power, chalking up 4.5 sacks, and lighting up statsheets that make offensive linemen cry. But stepping into the weight room with Aaron Donald? That’s like a baby shark challenging a megalodon to a swimming race and expecting to win. Verse’s playful jab that Donald “is not ready” was met with a savage invitation to come get humbled.

What’s hilarious here—and frankly a little inspirational—is seeing a seasoned titan like Donald showing no signs of slowing down. His “old man workout” isn’t a gentle stroll through a retirement community yoga class; it’s a full-throttle conditioning session that can scare rookies straight (and make grown men cry quietly in the corner). The idea that Verse and Donald met up, with Jared bravely (?) submitting himself to the grueling regime, is the kind of story that makes you love sports—where respect, rivalry, and sheer physicality collide.

For the Rams, this dynamic is gold. With Donald retired, the onus falls on players like Verse to step up and embody the relentless, bulldozer mentality Donald brought for over a decade. The fact that the legend is mentoring the rookie, even in a workout challenge, means the torch is being carefully passed. And for fans, it’s a tantalizing glimpse of the future. Verse’s ability to survive and perhaps even thrive under Donald’s brutal regime could forecast a season filled with violent, highlight-reel plays that pump adrenaline and scare offensive coordinators awake in cold sweats.

American football is a brutal game, both on and off the field. The physical and mental conditioning that defines players like Donald is legendary. Seeing him willingly put a rookie—who was cocky enough to talk smack—through his patented “retirement workout” is just the validation that this team respects its roots while aggressively charging forward.

So, what’s next? Well, anyone who’s ever been in a gym knows that after an “old man workout” with Donald, you’ll either be stronger or you’ll be a dumpster fire of soreness. Jared Verse posted a pic of the two after their session, dicey smile and all, captioned basically “learned my lesson.”

That’s peak sports humility wrapped in a bromance. But more than that? It’s the Ram way—push each other until you quit or win.

In this offseason circus of trades, signings, and rumors, the Donald-Verse saga is a breath of fresh (and brutal) air. It tells you that the Los Angeles Rams aren’t just tinkering around hoping for a fluke season; they’re cultivating a culture of toughness, respect, and yes, a little friendly humiliation.

So for all you Rams fans—or haters, I see you—strap in for Season 2025 because Jared Verse is not just any rookie. He’s the torch bearer who dared to challenge the mountain and got schooled spectacularly. And if he comes out stronger? Well, that’s one hell of a story to tell your grandkids.