It was a good day for the defending champions Los Angeles Rams as eight-time Pro Bowler Aaron Donald signed a new deal with the team which gives him a handsome $40 million raise and guarantees his time with the team thru 2024.
The new deal is structured to guarantee the All-Pro defensive tackle $65 million over the next two seasons. With the deal, Donald also has the option to retire after the 2023 season or return for one year for another $30 million guaranteed. The 31-year-old had been looking to get this deal done and was floating the possibility of retirement with his already-massive list of accomplishments in the NFL.
“I’m locked back in to go get us another ring. Why not? At SoFi Stadium, getting chills thinking about it. Let’s go to work,” Donald said on social media after the deal had been signed.
He had been looking to reach a deal that was reflective of not only his talent and status as arguably one of the best defensive players ever but also the current average price of defensive players in the NFL.
Recently married Rams’ head coach Sean McVay sounded off on the new deal expressing his pleasure at the contract getting sealed. “It’s not great news, it’s phenomenal, outstanding, any nice adjective that you can place around it, but it is, it’s a big deal and he’s earned it. And he truly is one of one in my opinion. Means so much to me, to our organization. I think the respect that he’s garnered around this league from guys that have done it at such a high level, what he’s accomplished through his eight years is unparalleled,” McVay said.
The Rams have been one of the more active teams during free agency, bringing in a flurry of big-name additions. These include wide receiver Allen Robinson and linebacker Bobby Wagner. Now, Donald has a chance to run it back with the team and add to his already long of accolades.
With the new deal, Donald sets a number of records including being the highest-paid defensive player ever and being the first non-QB to make $30 million or more per year.
