When Aaron Donald declared his retirement following an outstanding tenure with the Los Angeles Rams, the expectation, whether fair or not, quickly shifted to Kobie Turner to step into the role of the eight-time All-Pro.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 288 pounds, Turner excelled for the Rams as a rookie, achieving nine sacks while consistently drawing double teams similar to Aaron Donald. However, it’s worth questioning how much of his success was due to his own effort versus the opportunities created by playing alongside the veteran Pro Bowler.
In 2024, fans will get their answer as “The Conductor” becomes the centerpiece of a defensive line that includes 2023 breakout star Byron Young and rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske.
As a rookie, Turner was part of a rotation, playing 62 percent of LA’s defensive snaps in 2024 and starting four out of 17 games. The Wake Forest product made the most of his opportunities, emerging as a breakout defensive lineman in the NFL, finishing as runner-up for the AP Defensive Player of the Year, and establishing himself as a key player for the Rams moving forward.
It would have been great to see Turner get another season with Donald, as they performed well together, and a bit more experience would have been beneficial. However, Donald retired to focus on his family and role as a franchise ambassador. This leaves Turner, Fiske, Verse, and others with the responsibility to step up and support defensive coordinator Chris Shula, helping to keep opposing offenses in check and allowing Sean McVay to control the game’s tempo with an energized running game. If his rookie season is any indication, Turner has the talent to excel and become the best defensive lineman he can be, rather than just the next Donald.
Kobie Turner wants to be Kobie Turner for the Rams
Heading into the 2024 NFL season, the absence of Aaron Donald has weighed heavily on the minds of Rams fans worldwide. Some are eager to see how the team functions without the lynchpin of their defensive line, while others are worried about the impact of his departure.
Asked about the prospect of Donald’s retirement and how it will affect his role, Turner told Jordan Rodrigue of The Athletic that he isn’t focused on replacing the future Hall of Famer but on improving his own game daily in pursuit of greatness.
“It’s definitely a difficult inner battle for sure. It’s about returning to the things that made me successful last year, which is maintaining a growth mindset and tackling each day individually. Coach (Sean) McVay has also pulled me aside, and we’ve had discussions about this. I don’t need to be anyone other than who I am. I don’t need to chase any numbers or anything like that,” Turner told The Athletic.
“Approach each day the same way I did last year, with the same focus. With AD leaving, it can be easy to put a lot of pressure on myself. There is definitely a lot of responsibility. I think pressure makes diamonds, so as long as I keep the right frame of mind, I will come out stronger. I already feel I am growing so much. Keeping the right mentality, letting it build me up without becoming overwhelming, and focusing on my daily efforts rather than the end results is crucial.”
Inevitably, fans will turn to Turner and 2024 second-round pick Braden Fiske when the Rams need a big stop or pressure from the interior, and they may critique the duo for not being as dominant as the ten-time Pro Bowler, especially given their youth. However, if Turner can build on his impressive rookie season and become an impact player—even if his style isn’t reminiscent of Donald—fans will likely appreciate his contributions, as defensive production is what ultimately matters.