Myles Garrett is spending his first nine days as a Los Angeles Ram in what he calls "a pass rusher's fantasy," sharing a meeting room and practice field with veteran defensive lineman Aaron Donald.
Donald acknowledged that the addition of Garrett, a "generational talent," was a significant factor in his decision not to retire. "That can be fun," Donald reportedly said about playing alongside Garrett. For Garrett, the experience has been "special," offering a unique opportunity to learn from one of the league's most dominant interior pass rushers.
The prospect of Garrett applying pressure from the edge while Donald disrupts offenses from the interior presents a formidable challenge for opposing offenses. However, the highly anticipated debut of this pass-rushing duo will be delayed, as Rams coach Sean McVay announced Donald will not travel with the team to Melbourne for the season opener against the 49ers.
Garrett has been getting a preview of working with Donald during practice, noting Donald's distinct approach. "He has his own way of doing things, physically as well as mentally," Garrett said. "He speaks the game, and being able to work off of him is truly a special thing."
Both players boast impressive career sack numbers, with Donald recording 111 sacks and Garrett holding 125.5 sacks and the NFL's single-season record. Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and the No. 1 ranked player on the NFL Top 100, has been comparing notes with Donald on rushing techniques. Garrett also shared a lighthearted observation about his new teammate, noting that Donald "smiles more than I thought" and possesses a good sense of humor, contrary to his on-field demeanor.
Garrett expressed significant respect for Donald's standing within the Rams organization, highlighting the respect he has garnered from staff and players alike. "That's probably the biggest thing I've learned — how well he works not only with myself, but also with everyone."
As Garrett prepares for his Rams debut in Australia, he acknowledged the rapid pace of his transition to the team. His strategy to manage the speed of the game is to "slow it down on the field and do what I do." He dismissed concerns about limited preseason practice time affecting his performance.
When asked about his individual goals for his debut season with the Rams, Garrett's response was clear: "The Super Bowl. And win DPOY again."
He added that he believes the team's defensive line has the potential to be "something truly special" and aims to avoid any post-game regrets about unrealized potential. For now, the full impact of Donald and Garrett as a defensive partnership remains unseen by the league, but their collaboration has already begun within the Rams' facility.