Aaron Donald has spent most of his future Hall of Fame career making quarterbacks look ordinary. Josh Allen has never struck him as one of them. 

The Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle has seen plenty of strong, oversized and mobile quarterbacks during his decorated career.

But when Donald first went up against Allen in 2020, he recognized that the emerging Buffalo Bills star had something different. 

He saw a modern-day version of another future Hall of Famer that has two Super Bowl rings. 

Ben Roethlisberger. 

“He’s a playmaker,” Donald said Friday after practice. “I think my first time playing him was 2020. I think that was his first breakout year or whatever. I’m like, ‘Yeah, he’s a different type of player.’”

Donald described Allen as “a futuristic Big Ben,” comparing Buffalo’s quarterback to the former Pittsburgh Steelers star who made a living shrugging off defenders, extending plays and delivering backbreaking throws.

And to be honest, it’s a fitting comparison. Similar to Roethlisberger, Allen has the size to absorb punishment, the arm to attack any secondary, and an uncanny ability to turn a collapsing pocket into a defensive coordinator’s worst nightmare. 

Only as an added wrinkle, Allen is built like a linebacker and runs like one when the opportunity presents itself. 

Donald was retired when the Rams beat the Bills 44-42 in a shootout in 2024, now he gets another crack at him. 

After missing last Sunday’s thrilling 24-20 comeback victory over the Philadelphia Eagles with back soreness, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year returned to practice Thursday and Friday.

Donald reported no setbacks and made his intentions clear ahead of Monday Night Football at SoFi Stadium.

“I plan to play this week,” Donald said, matter of factly.

“Yesterday, I got to practice. Today, I got to practice. No setbacks. I feel great. Let’s keep feeling like that, you know?”

His potential return presents an intriguing challenge for Allen, whose ability to escape pressure makes him particularly difficult to contain.

The Rams didn’t need Donald or injured pass rusher Myles Garrett to frustrate Philadelphia’s offense last weekend. Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske and the rest of Los Angeles’ defensive front made life uncomfortable for the Eagles, something Donald noticed while watching from home back in Los Angeles. 

Now imagine adding one of the greatest interior disruptors in NFL history back into that rotation.

Donald knows exactly what kind of quarterback awaits Monday night. He recognized Allen’s talent six years ago, long before Buffalo’s franchise cornerstone became one of football’s most feared offensive weapons and a former NFL MVP.

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