Former Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald nominated the “next Aaron Donald” as the NFL’s greatest defensive player.
Aaron Donald, the former Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle, is no longer the top defensive player in football.
There is some debate over when that statement became accurate, but it was made official when Donald announced his retirement in March. The future Hall of Famer retired after ten outstanding seasons, leaving a void in the Rams’ defense.
There isn’t just a vacuum in the trenches, though. With Donald’s departure, many are looking for an heir to the throne of the best defensive player in the sport.
On Thursday, appearing on “Green Light With Chris Long” with former teammate Chris Long, Donald made his nomination – Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt.
“If you talk about a guy that’s consistent,” Donald began. “Been doing it year in year out consistently that’s gonna get you 15 sacks, 13 sacks, damn 22 sacks consistent. He’s the guy that’s been doing it consistently. Interceptions every year, touchdowns, his stats be ridiculous every single year.
“I know you got Micah Parsons coming up, you got Myles Garrett, you got a bunch of good players. But my opinion, from the time I’ve seen T.J. Watt in the league – from the first time I’ve seen him to last year – he’s consistently been dominating in this league. Just a lot of respect for him, think he’s that guy.”
Watt, the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, has led the league in sacks three times, including this past season where he logged 19. With 96.5 sacks in his career, he could very well pass Donald (111) in 2024.
Donald said that before being picked and during his first round of contract negotiations, he fantasized of playing for his local team, the Steelers. However, he eventually decided to continue with Los Angeles and retire with only one team tied to him.
Watt is definitely the top defensive player in the sport, but Garrett may have him beat on a per-snap basis in 2023, with the same number of pressures and a greater pass-rush win rate. Perhaps it’s some Pittsburgh pride, but Steelers fans would accept compliments from one of their own, even if he never played for the black and gold. Donald will undoubtedly see some of Pittsburgh’s own when he is enshrined as a first-ballot Hall of Famer in five years.
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