Aaron Donald made Pro Bowl history earlier this month, becoming the first defensive tackle to earn a Pro Bowl nod in each of his first 10 seasons, and he’s once again an All-Pro.
Donald was named a first-team All-Pro for the eighth time in 10 seasons, returning to the pinnacle of the sport after missing six games to injury last season.
In 16 games, sitting out the season finale with a playoff berth already clinched, he racked up 53 tackles (28 solo), 16 tackles for loss, eight sacks and three passes defended — and he’s rated by PFF as one of the very best defenders in the NFL, regardless of position.
The Los Angeles Rams are headed back to the playoffs, clinching a playoff spot with one game left to play in the 2023 season, and it’s been in large part because of quarterback Matt Stafford’s resurgence but also Donald’s impact defensively. His impact goes beyond the numbers, drawing double and triple teams on a consistent basis.
Donald was a first round pick out of Pitt in 2014, following an All-American four-year career in Pittsburgh. He racked up 181 tackles (115 solo), 66 tackles for loss, 29.5 sacks, forced six fumbles and defended 10 passes during his career.
Donald’s senior campaign of 59 tackles (43 solo), 28.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, four forced fumbles and three passes defended rounded out one of the best defensive efforts in Pitt history — and college football history.
Donald, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, has bounced back in 2023 after an injury-plagued 2022 season forced him to miss six games.
In nearly 10 seasons, he’s tacked up 543 tackles (340 solo), 176 tackles for loss, 111 sacks, 24 forced fumbles and seven recoveries and 21 pass breakups — cementing himself as one of the greats at just 32.
Donald has made the Pro Bowl every season of his career, and after the latest All-Pro nod, he’s been honored as the best at his position all but twice in his career — his rookie season (in which he won Defensive Rookie of the Year) and last season (missed six games).
Donald is the only Pitt Panther to be named to the 2024 Pro Bowl and the only Panther named to the All-Pro team.
Time to call it a career, while you can still walk.