Earlier this month, longtime Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald decided to retire from the NFL after spending a total of 10 seasons in the league.
During his career, Donald was one of the most decorated defensive players in NFL history, as he was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, an eight-time First-Team All-Pro, and a 10-time Pro Bowl selection.
So, when it comes to knowing what it takes to be successful in the league, the former Rams defensive superstar knows exactly what is needed.
Which makes some recent comments Donald made about Pittsburgh pass rusher T.J. Watt stepping up as the next elite defensive player in the NFL quite intriguing (via Matthew Luciow on Twitter).
“[T.J. Watt is] a guy that has consistently been doing it every single year. He’s a guy that’s consistently going to get 15 sacks for you, 20 TFLs, probably two interceptions, maybe a touchdown for sure.”
Aaron Donald on TJ Watt:
"I felt like he should've won a couple more Defensive Player of the Year Awards, he kind of got snubbed a couple times, I ain't gonna lie.”#steelers
🎥YT/Aaron Donald pic.twitter.com/ONSEqTEGHH
— Matthew Luciow (@matthewluciow92) March 24, 2024
Donald also mentioned that Watt has probably deserved to win more than just the one Defensive Player of the Year award that he captured after the 2021 season.
Cleveland Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett is the most recent winner of the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award, but some felt that the honor should have gone to Watt for what he was able to do out on the field in 2023.
Watt is essentially in the prime of his NFL career, so we should expect him to perform at a very high level for at least a few more seasons, which is good news for the Steelers.
But even though he only has one Defensive Player of the Year award so far, being recognized for his play by Donald is a gigantic accomplishment in itself.
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