Rams & Aaron Donald Could Be Closing In Long-Term Deal

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, citing a league source, reports that chatter is increasing that the Rams and DT Aaron Donald could be closing in on a long-term extension.

Last week, Rams GM Les Snead told reporters on Wednesday that they’re in the “same zip code, area code, ballpark” in regards to contract negotiations with Donald, per Gary Klein.

Snead was asked whether being in the same zip code implies they’re close to reaching an agreement: “Zip code usually means you’re close, but we still haven’t agreed.”

According to Snead, their focus remains on getting a long-term extension in place for Donald.

“Nothing’s changed since we started this process,” Snead said, per Klein. “The goal is like, hey, come up with a win-win solution for the reigning defensive MVP and the Los Angeles Rams, and that’s a long-term contract for Aaron Donald.”

Donald did not report for the start of training camp or by the deadline to ensure that he gains an accrued season towards becoming an unrestricted free agent.

This means that Donald will be a restricted free agent in 2018, as opposed to an unrestricted free agent. However, this won’t be a major issue, seeing as many believe the Rams would end up using their franchise tag on him to prevent another team from signing him to an offer sheet.

Donald, 26, is a former first-round pick of the Rams back in 2014. He was in the final year of his four-year, $10.136 million and set to make a base salary of $1,802,250 for the 2017 season when the Rams picked up his fifth-year team option for the 2018 season.

This will run the Rams around $6.892 million for the 2018 season, but is guaranteed only for injury and won’t prevent them from working on a long-term extension over the next year.

In 2017, Donald appeared in 14 games for the Rams and recorded 41 tackles, 11 sacks, a fumble recovery, five forced fumbles and a pass defense.

We have Donald featured in our Top 25 – 2019 NFL Free Agents list.