NFL Retirement of Former Rams Defensive Lineman Michael Brockers
With the announcement of Aaron Donald’s NFL retirement, the Los Angeles Rams defensive line will appear different in 2024.
For ten years, Donald was the pillar of the Rams’ defense. However, with him no longer starting, defensive coordinator and head coach Sean McVay will have to rely on their youthful, inexperienced group to fill the vacuum. Braden Fiske and Jared Verse will join to help reinforce the D-line and apply more pressure, while Kobie Turner and Byron Young are anticipated to lead the way.
Throughout his tenure in St. Louis and Los Angeles, Donald had multiple running companions despite serving as the defensive team’s captain for many years. In the trenches, the Rams had another first-round pick in Michael Brockers until Donald joined the team in 2014.
Similar like Donald, Brockers contributed to the organization’s transition into a new era. He just announced his NFL retirement on his personal Instagram account:
In the video, Brockers expresses gratitude to the Rams and Detroit Lions fans, God, his family, coaches, and teammates for giving him the opportunity to play for them for 11 years. Before being traded to Detroit, where he played for two more seasons, Brockers was a member of the Los Angeles Rams for nine seasons.
Following a great career at LSU, Brockers was originally chosen as the 14th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. His first season was marked by his rapid productivity, earning him a spot on the PFWA All-first team. Two years later, after the team selected Donald in the 2014 NFL Draft, the two players established the cornerstone of the defense for seven seasons, until Brockers was traded to the Lions.
After spending two seasons with Detroit, the former defensive lineman was let go soon after the 2023 campaign came to an end. The fact that Brockers did not play in the previous season was a sign that his playing days were numbered.
Throughout his career, Brockers played in 160 games and recorded 29 sacks and 451 total tackles. He was a reliable player for the Rams and Lions, and he deserved to enjoy his retirement after a fruitful career.
Les Snead discusses why the Rams selected Braden Fiske by trading up in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Rams’ next generation of defensive linemen will need to figure out how to step up in Donald’s absence. Les Snead, general manager, stated that the team was more proactive in trading up for Fiske in an attempt to duplicate his success with Verse at Florida State, after Verse dropped into their laps at No. 19.
