THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Trading for Donald might be worth the risk for Seahawks

Could the Seahawks actually trade for Aaron Donald?

Unlike almost any other sport or league, rumors in the NFL tend to contain a kernel of truth.

Who knows why?

But when knowledgeable people in pro football offer up some surprising possibility, you tend to think …

“Smoke. Fire.”

That’s where we are with the notion of Seattle putting together a mega-package to grab the 32-year-old Rams defensive lineman — a three-time defensive player of the year, no less.

Donald has spent seasons being almost unblockable, no matter who (or how many troops) you throw at him.

The Seahawks know him very well.

It was Donald’s helmet that Russell Wilson hit in 2021, fracturing his finger.

Needless to say, Donald had destroyed a couple of offensive linemen on the play, thus getting close enough that Wilson couldn’t throw the ball without whacking Aaron’s helmet.

Donald’s calling card throughout a Hall of Fame career with the Rams has been speed — as in, a lightning move off the line of scrimmage that is simply too much of a burst to handle.

Frankly, if you’re a neutral (or a Rams) fan, Donald is simply a wonder – so big, yet so fast.

PERSONALLY, the only other defensive player I’ve ever seen with that combination of speed and strength to truly own the line of scrimmage was the late Eagles and Packers star Reggie White.

To paraphrase a quote from the legendary coach Paul Brown …

“I don’t know if we can say they’re in a class of their own, but I’m pretty sure it doesn’t take long to call roll.”

So …

A trade?

To Seattle?

Seriously?

If you try to ignore that Donald is a Rams hero, and was right in the middle of their Super Bowl triumph just two years ago …

If you look at it in the cold light of day, as a personnel move that makes sense for both teams …

Well, yeah.

Remember, though, that Donald considered retirement after winning the Super Bowl, and now at 32, there’s some question whether he’d be willing to pack up and move north — to a team in the same division, on top of it.

But let’s say both the Rams and Seahawks are talking about this, you know, in a manner that might make it happen.

First of all, is it a good idea?

For the Rams, there’s no doubt.

Los Angeles is in rebuilding mode, and basically sold all its decent draft picks in that all-out assault to win the Super Bowl.

The strategy worked, but now the Rams have to pick up a lot of pieces, and they need draft capital to crawl back into contention.

Donald is still an amazing player, but he will likely be out of football by the time L.A. is considered a title challenger once more.

If one of the franchise’s all-time greats is willing to change addresses in exchange for some valuable draft choices, the Rams surely would jump at the possibility.

ON THE other end of this startling rumor, however, the Seahawks would have to think a long time before throwing a pothole in the way of their current rise to the elite level.

Would Aaron Donald help the defensive line, arguably the weakest part of the Seattle roster?

Hah.

No damn doubt.

We can’t be sure how LONG Donald will remain a game-changer, but quite a few outstanding defenders — especially linemen — have continued to wreak havoc well into their thirties.

Donald certainly doesn’t appear to have lost a step so far.

Therefore, we come to the big question …

Should Seattle sell the farm (a significant haul of draft choices) to a team sitting right there in the NFC West?

The general rule of thumb when considering deals like this is pretty simple …

Are you one player away from a realistic shot at the Super Bowl?

Would Aaron Donald improve the defense to the point that the Hawks can compete with the Eagles and 49ers on even terms?

OK, if he’s still THE Aaron Donald, you start to picture a dramatically different defensive line to pair with perhaps the league’s best secondary.

But …

Just to pay Donald and find cap space for him, the Hawks might need to, say, cut Jamal Adams.

Suddenly, the price goes beyond the draft picks, and begins to hurt the current roster.

Think about this.

IF YOU’RE the New York Jets, with a talented young roster but no game-winning quarterback, then …

Yes, absolutely, you give away the Empire State Building to land Aaron Rodgers.

That’s a move that flips an entire franchise, and suddenly they’re thinking Super Bowl.

But …

Can Aaron Donald, or ANY defensive lineman, provide the massive shot of adrenaline that takes you all the way?

Logic says no.

On the other hand …

I wrote a book — yes, an actual book you can find on Amazon — about Reggie White being that bolt of lightning, the guy who changed Green Bay and led the Pack to a Super Bowl title.

I saw it happen with my own eyes.

So, is Donald that same kind of player, and would he be arriving on a team that’s SO close to beating the big boys?

The Seahawks may have to answer that question very soon.

All I can add is the oldest adage of all …

You win championships with superstars.

Email: [email protected]

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press four times each week, normally Tuesday through Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”