When Aaron Donald logged on to meet with local media for a video conference call Thursday afternoon, reporters were greeted not only by him, but a recent shirtless photo of himself as his virtual background.
"I don't want y'all to think I'm slacking," he said with a smile.
Even in quarantine, the Rams defensive tackle is still getting plenty of work done. The video conference background isn't the only evidence either.
Like he's done in past offseasons, he is spending time back home in the city of Pittsburgh. He stays active by working out in "the dungeon," also known as the small home gym in the basement of his dad's house which he's been using since he was 12 years old.
These days, he has been conducting workouts there with his nephew Elliot, a consensus four-star defensive line recruit in the class of 2021 who has accumulated 18 scholarship offers so far. Beyond exercising in his childhood home, Donald is also working with his speed trainer.
Donald normally works out in Pitt's football performance center which bears his name, but those facilities have been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"For me, it's been good," he said. "It's been a little bit different here and there because I ain't got as much as I got at Pitt, but I feel like I've been getting great work in still."
Donald has also been sharpening the minds of others as well as his own.
Back in mid-April, his AD99 Solutions Foundation created a free, 8-week virtual education series for 13- to 18-year-old student athletes called Mental Flex Forums. The opportunities were designed to help them "maintain a winner's mindset off-the-field," according to the foundation's official Twitter page.
Donald also fulfilled a post-draft promise to his parents by completing his Pitt communications degree this spring, taking online classes over the last two years as part of the process.
"They were proud of me, they're happy," Donald said. "It was a process, but it was worth it at the end of the day."
In a sense, this offseason hasn't been too different from what Donald is used to – he was working out in Pittsburgh and working toward finishing his degree last year, too.
Still, the biggest adjustment has been having to learn new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley's scheme and philosophies after being in the same defense since 2017.
"I'm definitely starting to like it a lot," Donald said. "I'm anxious to actually get on the grass and get to play and see how this thing plays out."
When that time comes, a certain virtual background suggests he'll be ready.
Check out this week's player spotlight featuring DT Aaron Donald!
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams celebrate a win on the sideline against the New Orleans Saints during the Rams 27-9 victory over the Saints in a Week 2 NFL football game, Sunday, September 15, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams during the Rams and Saints season game two match at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, in Los Angeles Ca., on September 15th, 2019. The Rams defeat the Saints 27-9. (Daniel Bowyer/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams against the Cleveland Browns during the Rams 20-13 victory over the Browns in an NFL Week 3 football game, Sunday, September 22, 2019, in Cleveland, OH. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before the Rams 29-30 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL Week 5 football game, Thursday, October 3, 2019, in Seattle, WA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams rushes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Rams 40-55 loss to the Buccaneers in an NFL Week 4 football game, Sunday, September 29, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Linebacker (52) Clay Matthews of the Los Angeles Rams sacks quarterback (6) Baker Mayfield of the Cleveland Browns and celebrates with (99) Aaron Donald during the Rams 20-13 victory over the Browns in an NFL Week 3 football game, Sunday, September 22, 2019, in Cleveland, OH. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams against the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 29-30 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL Week 5 football game, Thursday, October 3, 2019, in Seattle, WA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams rushes quarterback (3) Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 29-30 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL Week 5 football game, Thursday, October 3, 2019, in Seattle, WA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams is introduced during player introductions before the Rams 27-9 victory over the Saints in a Week 2 NFL football game, Sunday, September 15, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams makes a tackle against the Cleveland Browns during the Rams 20-13 victory over the Browns in an NFL Week 3 football game, Sunday, September 22, 2019, in Cleveland, OH. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates after a sack against the San Francisco 49ers during the Rams 7-20 loss to the 49ers in an NFL Week 6 regular season football game, Sunday, October 13, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams warms up on the field before the Rams 12-17 loss to the Steelers in an NFL Week 10 regular season game, Sunday, November 10, 2019, in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams tackles quarterback (10) Jimmy Garopollo of the San Francisco 49ers during the Rams 7-20 loss to the 49ers in an NFL Week 6 regular season football game, Sunday, October 13, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams enters the field during player introductions before the Rams 7-20 loss to the 49ers in an NFL Week 6 regular season football game, Sunday, October 13, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angels Rams get dressed in the locker room before the Rams 40-55 loss to the Buccaneers in an NFL Week 4 football game, Sunday, September 29, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams makes a tackle against the Dallas Cowboys during the Rams 44-21 loss to the Cowboys in an NFL Week 15 regular season game, Sunday, December 15, 2019, in Arlington, TX. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams runs off with the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the Rams 37-10 victory over the Falcons in an NFL Week 7 regular season football game, Sunday, October 20, 2019, in Atlanta, GA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) and outside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) get off the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the Rams 40 - 55 loss to the Buccaneers in a Week 4 NFL football game, Sunday, September 29, 2019, Los Angeles, CA. (Jevone Moore/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams against the Seattle Seahawks during the Rams 29-30 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL Week 5 football game, Thursday, October 3, 2019, in Seattle, WA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams enters the field before the Rams 31-34 loss to the 49ers in an NFL Week 16 regular season game, Saturday, December 21, 2019, in Santa Clara, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams sacks quarterback (10) Jimmy Garoppolo of the San Francisco 49ers during the Rams 31-34 loss to the 49ers in an NFL Week 16 regular season game, Saturday, December 21, 2019, in Santa Clara, CA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams sacks quarterback (6) Mason Rudolph of the Pittsburgh Steelers for a safety during the Rams 12-17 loss to the Steelers in an NFL Week 10 regular season game, Sunday, November 10, 2019, in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the Rams 12-17 loss to the Steelers in an NFL Week 10 regular season game, Sunday, November 10, 2019, in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams stands for the National Anthem before the Rams are defeated 31–34 in an NFL Week 16 football game at Levi's Stadium, Sunday, December 21, 2019, in Santa Clara, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams along with linebacker (50) Samson Ebukam makes a tackle against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the Rams 12-17 loss to the Steelers in an NFL Week 10 regular season game, Sunday, November 10, 2019, in Pittsburgh, PA. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams is introduced during player introductions before the Rams 20–7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL Week 6 football game, Sunday, October 13, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams against the Dallas Cowboys during the Rams 44-21 loss to the Cowboys in an NFL Week 15 regular season game, Sunday, December 15, 2019, in Arlington, TX. (Jeff Lewis/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams completes a sack against the San Francisco 49ers, the Rams are defeated 31–34 in an NFL Week 16 football game at Levi's Stadium, Sunday, December 21, 2019, in Santa Clara, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before the Rams 31-24 victory over the Cardinals in an NFL Week 17 regular season game, Sunday, December 29, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis)
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 in Los Angeles. (NFL LCC/NFL)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald and Linebacker (56) Dante Fowler Jr. of the Los Angeles Rams complete a sack against the San Francisco 49ers, the Rams are defeated 31–34 in an NFL Week 16 football game at Levi's Stadium, Sunday, December 21, 2019, in Santa Clara, CA. (Will Navarro/Rams)
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019 in Los Angeles. (NFL LCC/NFL)
Defensive tackle (99) Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams picks up a fumbled ball and stiff arms an Arizona Cardinals player during the Rams 31-24 victory over the Cardinals in an NFL Week 17 regular season game, Sunday, December 29, 2019, in Los Angeles, CA. (Jeff Lewis)
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019 in Glendale, Ariz. (NFL LCC/NFL)
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Los Angeles. (NFL LCC/NFL)
