Aaron Donald was the two-time reigning Defensive Player of the Year entering 2019, and while he put together a tremendous season with 12.5 sacks to lead all defensive tackles and an NFL-high 20 tackles for loss, he came up just short. Stephon Gilmore took home the award, beating out Donald and T.J. Watt.
It was still a valiant effort from Donald, who was named to his sixth Pro Bowl and fifth All-Pro team. Ahead of Super Bowl LIV, we talked to Donald about the past season, the future with Brandon Staley taking over as defensive coordinator and the Rams’ pending free agents.
He admitted to getting frustrated by always getting double- and triple-teamed, adding that the Rams need to “find any way they can” to bring back Michael Brockers.
Here’s our conversation with Donald.
How important is it for the Rams to keep Brockers?
He’s a big key to our defense, definitely in the run game. He’s a guy that does a lot of things in the run game, just from how we line him up and where we put him to do what he does. I’ve played with him all six years, so we’ve got a chemistry together. I think we play well together. I think he’s a big key to this defense and helping us win, so the Rams need to find any way they can to bring that guy back and make him happy.
Are you going to be in the Rams’ ear telling them to re-sign Brockers?
A hundred percent.
What have you seen from Cory Littleton, who’s also a free agent?
He’s always around the ball, always swarming to the ball. He’s fast, he’s just got a knack for the ball. That’s how linebackers are supposed to be. He’s got that ideline-to-sideline speed. He can run anybody down and get them. He’s a playmaker, he makes those big plays and helps us have success. Every year he’s been there, I’ve seen him get better and better and I think he’ll continue to get better and have a lot of success.
Do you ever get frustrated by all the double-teams?
Yeah, for sure. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t. You want to have the one-on-one, but if they want to focus on one guy to give other guys around you the chance to make plays and have success, as long as someone is out there making plays and having success, I’m fine with it. It’s the part where you’re getting double- and triple-teamed and nobody’s getting there, you get a little more frustrated, but it comes with the territory.
What was your favorite thing about playing for Wade Phillips?
He’s a great coach. You learned a lot from him, he’s been coaching for a long time and having success. Having an opportunity to play for him was great, we’re going to miss the swagger and the confidence he brought to the defense. He gave us a lot of opportunities to do a lot of different things and to be a successful defense, so definitely going to miss him.
What’s it like to hear him call you a surefire Hall of Famer?
He’s one of the best defensive coordinators to do it. And like you said, he coached a lot of great players, so to hear that from him, that means a lot. It just motivates you to keep working and try to live up to it.
Have you talked to Brandon Staley and how do you expect to be used next season?
I talked to him a little, not that much yet. I talked to McVay a little bit about it. I’m excited from just talking to him to see what he’s going to bring to the defense and the things he’s going to do to free certain guys up to go out there and try to have success so we can win games. Part of this league is change and I’m just excited to see what he brings and what he can do.
Were you thinking about three-peating as Defensive Player of the Year or what you needed to do to win it?
I just play ball. I really don’t worry about all that. I just go out there and try to make as many plays as I can and win. That’s what it’s about, winning games. When you try to think about trying to win awards and things like that, you tend not to have the success you want to have. I really don’t think about it, I just play and try to do my part.
Is there a player you looked up to growing up?
I watched a lot of players, it wasn’t just defensive linemen. I’m a Pittsburgh guy, so guys like (Troy) Polamalu, (Jerome) Bettis, Hines Ward. Guys like that that were doing it at a high level. Guys I grew up watching, was just a fan of, guys like Ray Lewis. Not always just defensive linemen. It’s guys out there making plays and having success that motivate you.
Was there anyone you tried to emulate when you came into the NFL or were you trying to be your own player?
Just being myself, but you’re watching guys like Geno Atkins, Gerald McCoy who were doing it at a high level. Just watch those guys, respect them from afar and do your part to have your own little success and make a name for yourself.
Are you rooting for the 49ers to win for the NFC West or are you hoping they lose?
I’m just going to watch. I don’t really care who wins. I’m not there, so I really don’t care about winning and losing. I just think it’s going to be a good game. It’s two solid teams, from the defensive side of the ball to the offensive side of the ball. So I’m just going to tune in and see but I don’t really care who wins or loses.
Do you feel like being at camp helped you start faster this season?
You’re in football shape and you’re out there practicing and working on your moves and your timing. But I wouldn’t say it was a faster start, but you felt a little bit better going into the season.
What was your first big purchase with your new contract?
First thing I did was call my mom and dad and retired those guys. That was the first thing I did. As soon as I got the call that things were finalized, I called my mom, called my dad and told them they don’t have to work no more and retired them.
They helped mold me, they put a lot of time to help me be who I am and get to where I am today. I feel like doing that, it still isn’t enough, but it’s a small token of me saying thank you and trying to do my part.
Would you ever want to get snaps at FB or RB?
I’ve been trying for six years. I’ve been trying for six years, but they just won’t allow it. Hopefully one day they’ll give me that ball and let my little league days back out.
We got a glimpse of that when you scooped up the fumble against the Seahawks and returned it for a nice gain.
Yeah, you see how I was moving? Showed a little something.
What’s it like working with Pizza Hut for the second year?
I’m here with Pizza Hut. They’re the official sponsor of the NFL, Working with them the last two years. Sundays on the Super Bowl, everybody knows what they need to get, pizza and wings. Love working with Pizza Hut, and it’s just a great opportunity.