How Rams DT Aaron Donald Makes Bobby Wagner's Life Easier

Bobby Wagner is extremely excited about playing Behind Aaron Donald.

Matt Galatzan | Apr 9, 2022

Few players in the NFL have as much of an effect on a football game as Rams Super Star Aaron Donald.

And in a recent interview with the Pat McAfee Show, new Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner explained exactly why he is excited to play behind a player as disruptive as Donald.

Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) celebrates after a pressure in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Dec 5, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald (99) and defensive end Greg Gaines (91) tackle Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (10) in the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

“I’m really excited to play with him,” Wagner said. “I’ve been watching him from afar and any linebacker that’s got a guy like that right in front of you, it’s going to take a lot of pressure off of you and allow you to come downhill and make plays. When I come downhill, they can’t come off on him fast to come get me because then he makes the play. I’m excited to get out there and figure everything out. It’s going to be fun, for sure.”

Last season was a testament to Donald's dominance as well, with the 30-year-old finishing the year with a career-high 84 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and 19 tackles for loss. Since his rookie season in 2014, Donald has finished with at least eight sacks in every season and finished in double digits in everyone except 2014 and 2016.

He has also been to the Pro Bowl in each of his eight seasons and has been selected as an All-Pro in seven of those eight.

Jan 30, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald (99) celebrates in the fourth quarter during the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Feb 16, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald holds the Vince Lombardi trophy during Super Bowl LVI championship parade. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jan 9, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Aaron Donald (99) celebrates with outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (54) following a sack against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

For a guy like Wagner, it is easy to assume that he doesn't need a lot of help, after the six-time All-Pro finished with a career-best 170 tackles in 2021.

But with Donald in front of him, and Jalen Ramsey backing him up in the secondary, truly special things could be in store for the Rams defense next season.

Luckily for the Rams, despite rumors to the contrary, Donald confirmed his desire to return to Los Angeles in 2022.

“I had conversations with the Rams. We talked,” Donald said in a recent interview. “(If) we bring the guys back – certain guys back – and we got a real shot to repeat and really win another Super Bowl, why not come back and play? That’s all it’s about. I experienced this and it’s like, I thought I’d want to be done, but I got addicted to it. It’s like, I ain’t satisfied. I want to get it one more time."

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Published Apr 9, 2022

MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan the Editor-In-Chief of RamDigest.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels. For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com