With former Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald recently retiring, the title of best defensive player in the NFL is up for grabs.
But if you ask Donald, there’s already an heir apparent to his vacated throne — someone who’s one of just two non-defensive lineman to be named NFL Defensive Player of the Year since 2014.
Watt was named Defensive Player of the year in 2021, and many felt he was robbed of the award this season, which went to Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett despite Watt having more sacks (19 to 14), QB hits (19 to 14), tackles for loss (19 to 17), batted passes (six to three) and fumble recoveries (three to one).
Since his rookie year in 2017, Watt leads the NFL in sacks (96.5), forced fumbles (27) and fumble recoveries (10). He’s also been the NFL sacks leader three of the last four seasons.
With Donald no longer playing, Watt is likely the most feared pass-rusher in the league now.
Aaron Donald, one of the NFL’s greatest defensive players, has announced his retirement with immediate effect.
The defensive tackle, who turned 33 in May, spent 10 seasons in the NFL, all with the Los Angeles Rams franchise.
Donald hinted he was contemplating retirement during the Super Bowl run in 2022, before returning with the Rams, but his announcement on Friday came as a surprise.
NFL teams are currently in the free agency period and are beginning to shape their rosters for the 2024 season, which begins in September.
Donald was the 13th overall pick by the Rams in the 2014 draft and he spent two seasons with them in St Louis, winning the 2014 Defensive Rookie of the Year award, before the team relocated to LA.
They reached the Super Bowl in 2019, losing 13-3 to the New England Patriots, but Donald was able to add a Super Bowl ring to his accomplishments after the Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in their own stadium in LA.
“Throughout my career, I have given my everything to football both mentally and physically – 365 days a year was dedicated to becoming the best possible player I could be,” he added.
Donald was the 13th overall pick by the Rams in the 2014 draft and he spent two seasons with them in St Louis, winning the 2014 Defensive Rookie of the Year award, before the team relocated to LA.
They reached the Super Bowl in 2019, losing 13-3 to the New England Patriots, but Donald was able to add a Super Bowl ring to his accomplishments after the Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in their own stadium in LA.
“Throughout my career, I have given my everything to football both mentally and physically – 365 days a year was dedicated to becoming the best possible player I could be,” he added.
“I respected this game like no other and I’m blessed to be able to conclude my NFL career with the same franchise that drafted me. Not many people get drafted to a team, win a world championship with that team and retire with that team. I do not, and will not, take that for granted.”
Donald finishes his career with 117 sacks, two of them coming in the Rams’ Super Bowl win. He became the fastest defensive tackle to reach 100 sacks in NFL history and was an eight-time All-Pro selection.
Rams owner Stanley Kroenke, who also owns Premier League club Arsenal, said: “We are so grateful for Aaron’s dedication to greatness and for leading our franchise on and off the field for the past decade. He has left his mark on generations of football fans.”
General manager Les Snead said simply “there will never be another Aaron Donald”, while head coach Sean McVay added: “he’s an exceptional team-mate who inspires everyone around him to be the best version of themselves.
“As great of a player he is, he’s an even better person. He epitomises everything that’s right about sports.”
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