October 16, 2016: Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) rushes during game action between the Los Angeles Rams and the Detroit Lions during a regular season game played at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.
(Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
At last, the L.A. Rams/Aaron Donald saga is over. The Los Angeles Rams have extended Donald with a six-year, $135 million contract, with $87 million guaranteed.
After a lengthy holdout that lasted the entire preseason, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald finally got the contract he desired.
The Rams are reportedly finalizing a six-year, $135 million dollar extension with Donald while giving their star defensive player $87 million in guaranteed money. For the Rams, the dark cloud of to-extend-or-not-extend has finally evaporated.
For Donald, it’s time to join the Rams on the chase for a Super Bowl.
If this holdout was any indication, the Rams faithful may have a feeling of deja vu: Donald held out last season and enjoyed an All-Pro season, earning NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Donald did not attend the voluntary offseason program but reported to mandatory minicamp to avoid fines. He then held out of training camp and reported to the team’s practice facility on the eve of the 2017 season opener, without a new contract in place. He was activated in Week 2.
Donald’s absence through training camp hardly affected his play, as he went on to finish his fourth season with 11 sacks and five forced fumbles in 14 games and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year as the Rams clinched the NFC West and made their first playoff appearance since 2004.
With a new contract in tow and their best player locked -in for the next seven years, the Rams are poised to become a Super Bowl contender during that duration.
Nothing about a holdout is worth-while: the player misses quality training camp reps while the team misses out on having the player in while installing the system. Nevertheless, Donald is here and the Rams are excited. Their willingness to give such a lengthy contract speaks for itself.