After an extremely disappointing season, the Los Angeles Rams are coming into 2023 looking to reclaim their spot as one of the top teams in the NFC. Expectations are much lower than a year ago, especially after the names the Rams moved on from, but they still have a core of leaders to lean on with Aaron Donald at the top of that list.
But last season, Donald was one of many Rams hit by the injury bug. It was the first time in his career that Donald missed games due to injury and now he, Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp find themselves surrounded by a much different team than the one that hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in 2021.
And getting back to the top of the mountain remains the goal and motivation for Donald coming into this season. “Right now we are just trying to get back on top,” the Rams star said. “Obviously, we didn’t have a season we wanted as a team last year. Now you’re kind of looked over as a team, so I feel like we have got something to prove. So that’s the motivation right there.”
The team goal is always the top priority for Donald as he wants to win above all else. But he has personal motivations as well coming off his worst individual season of his career. The Rams’ star defensive tackle has risen above top player in the league conversations with many considering him one of the best defensive players in NFL history right next to the likes Lawrence Taylor, Deion Sanders, Reggie White and Ray Lewis.
Last year was the first since his rookie year that he failed to make the All-Pro First Team so he believes he has a lot to prove this season.
“I’ve got a lot to prove. I didn’t have the season I wanted, obviously coming off of an injury and things like that,” Donald said. “I feel like to get to where you need to be, it’s like starting over from scratch again.
“It’s a brand new year. Last year was last year, but there’s a little fire lit into me. I got a little motivation towards that to push me to feel like I’m back on ground one. So I’m trying to get back to where I want to be as a player, as a teammate, as a team overall, and that’s been kind of pushing me a little bit.”
A highly motivated Aaron Donald is an extremely scary proposition for opponents to have to deal with. One of the greatest defensive players of all-time is looking to re-establish himself as just that, while also pushing the Rams back to playoff contention.
