Although the Los Angeles Rams defense suffered some key turnover once again this offseason, they can relish in the fact that they have defensive tackle Aaron Donald serving as its centerpiece.
Donald is coming off his third NFL Defensive Player of the Year campaign after registering 13.5 sacks and four forced fumbles last season. It comes as no surprise that he has been pegged as the favorite to bring home an NFL record fourth DPOY leading up to the 2021 NFL season.
However, it can be argued that Donald’s most impressive work comes during his grueling workouts in the offseason. While head coach Sean McVay has been around his fair share of star players, it seems none are quite as committed to the daily grind as he is.
McVay said during an appearance on “Chalk Talk” that Donald’s consistency has been the driving force behind his dominance as the best player in football, via Cameron DaSilva of USA Today:
“Aaron Donald is the most consistent player I’ve ever been around in my life, with the way that he plays but also with the way that he approaches every single day,” McVay said. “Nobody needs to tell Aaron Donald to bring it because he brings it more and expects more of himself than anybody else does and that’s why he’s the best in the world at what he does.”
Donald has already pieced together a resume worthy of first-ballot induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Even though he has solidified himself as one of the greatest defensive linemen in NFL history, he is clearly adamant about leaving no debates where he stands among them when it is all said and done.
The fact that Donald is not ready to rest on his merits just yet is indicative of McVay’s praise on him being internally motivated to keep getting better. The 30-year-old is anxious to prove to himself that the best is still yet to come.
The ‘Mamba Mentality’ from Donald also sets the standard for players in the locker room to kick things up a notch no matter what their standing on the roster is. Whether it is a franchise cornerstone or bubble player looking to make the final cut, it is a safe bet that No. 99 is outworking all of them.
Donald’s presence will once again serve as a stabilizing factor for this defense that underwent more changes this offseason.
