Rams “Very Optimistic” They’ll Sign Aaron Donald To Extension Soon

Rams HC Sean McVay told reporters on Tuesday that there is a level of increased optimism that they will get a deal done soon with DT Aaron Donald.

“The dialogue has increased, the level of urgency is extremely high on both sides. Let’s go Kevin Demoff, all right, let’s go. Just kidding,” McVay said, per Gary Klein. “All jokes aside, there is a level of increased optimism. There’s a lot of things that need to get done for it to be finalized but we’re working in a positive direction… So, Aaron, see ya soon buddy.”

According to Vincent Bonsignore, McVay made it clear things have changed over the last few days, which has led to the increased level of optimism.

A few weeks ago, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported that chatter is increasing that the Rams and Donald could be closing in on a long-term extension.

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 wouldn’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.