Aaron Donald: T.J. Watt now best defensive player in NFL

Field Level Media|published: Sat 6th April, 14:34 2024

Dec 23, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) smiles during warm ups before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium. credits: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Donald knows a thing or two about playing defense.

Now that he is retired, the three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year was asked who he feels assumes the title of the best current player on that side of the ball on "The Green Light with Chris Long" podcast.

"I think it's T.J. Watt," Donald said. "You talk about a guy that's consistent. Been doing it year in, year out, consistently, that's gonna get you 15 sacks, 13 sacks, 22 sacks, consistent. He's the guy who's been doing it consistently, interceptions, touchdowns, His stats are ridiculous every single year. He's that guy to me.

"I know you've got (Dallas') Micah Parsons that's coming up, you've got (Cleveland's) Myles Garrett, you've got a bunch of good players. But in my opinion, in the time I've seen T.J. Watt in this league, from the first time I've seen him to last year, he's consistently been dominating in this league. So a lot of respect for him."

Watt, 29, was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 and is a four-time All-Pro. He led the NFL with 19 sacks this past season to go along with 68 tackles, an interception, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

Donald, who announced his retirement on March 15, is an eight-time All-Pro and 10-time Pro Bowl selection with the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams. The defensive tackle won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2017, 2018 and 2020 and helped the Rams defeat the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.

—Field Level Media