When it comes to Aaron Donald, it’s best not to poke the bear.
The best defensive player in the NFL doesn’t need any added motivation, but the 49ers provided him with some heading into Sunday’s Week 12 tilt. After the 49ers beat the Rams in Week 6, Donald says there was some trash-talking going on, which may have gotten under his skin at least slightly.
He told reporters Wednesday that he and the Rams feel extra motivated to take on their division rivals for the second time this year, per Greg Beacham of the Associated Press.
Rams DT Aaron Donald says they're extra-motivated for this rematch with the Niners after their loss in Santa Clara: "There was a lot of little chatter after the game about certain things. They get to meet with us again, and we get to show them how we play."
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) November 25, 2020
In Donald’s postgame press conference after the Rams’ loss to the 49ers, he was asked about Deebo Samuel. He responded by asking who Samuel is, which the wide receiver took exception to.
He called out Donald on Instagram, saying he’s 3-0 against the Rams since he came into the NFL.
That’s likely what Donald is referring to when he says there was “a lot of little chatter” after the game, and he’s motivated to remind the 49ers which team sits atop the NFC West right now.
