Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald (99) before Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Matthew Stafford isn’t the only quarterback headed for a heartfelt reunion in Sunday’s Rams-Lions Wild Card matchup at Ford Field in Detroit, Mich.
Lions QB Jared Goff is playing his former team for just the second time since being dealt to Detroit in exchange for Stafford in 2021. It’s the first game Goff gets to host the Rams, which also happens to be the Lions’ first home playoff game in 30 years.
Donald was asked about Goff ahead of the Rams-Lions clash. The 3-time Defensive Player of the Year told reporters on Thursday that he had reached out to Goff to tell his former QB how proud he was of him.
Aaron Donald said he reached out to former teammate Jared Goff on Tuesday to tell him he’s proud of him.
Donald said it’s clear Goff has grown a lot and he reiterated a couple times he’s been happy to see it.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) January 11, 2024
Donald and Goff played together on the Rams for five seasons, which included a run to the Super Bowl in 2018.
However, some fans claimed that Donald may just be playing mind games to soften up Goff ahead of Wild Card Weekend.
Head games . Get Goff all happy and knock him off his game 🫡 https://t.co/5QaqltS3H4
— Ramsoholic (@ShayTweetedThat) January 11, 2024
All I can think of is Kobe going to visit Pau before the 2008 USA Spain game and then running right through him to start the game. My prediction is Aaron Donald sacks Goff on the first drive. https://t.co/OyVKLmmWYs
— Drew Stahl (@drewstahl0) January 11, 2024
Despite the strong bond between the two Pro Bowlers, there will surely be no love lost on the field.
The Lions lost 28-17 to the Rams the last time the two teams matched up in October 2021. The Lions’ loss to the eventual Super Bowl winners dropped them to 0-7 for the season.
The Rams and Lions face off again Sunday under much different circumstances.