Guys and gals, I must confess that I skip over about 85% of the Aaron Donald stuff. I just figure it's either hype on the media side or fan nerves on our side. No one really knows anything, and I get bored with all the speculation.
I also strongly advocate for the players. I want the money to go to them, not the owners, who already have too much. I am amazed when people complain about player agents and completely ignore the far greater negotiating resources of owners.
Finally, I treasure Aaron Donald. He will get paid and I want to be the team that pays him and keeps him for a Hall of Fame Career. He is the latter day embodiment of why I fell in love with the Fearsome Foursome and the Horns in about 1967. He is Rams football reborn.
So, all that said, I should be fine with the current AD situation.
But, I am not, really. I suspect--and it is suspicion, not fact, because no one has the facts--that Donald is making a mistake. From HIS POINT OF VIEW! Everything I say now will be me trying to see his perspective.
In contract negotiations, everything is really about risk. Who assumes the risk. In Donald's case, the risks are age and injury. There is ZERO chance of his not performing until or unless his body breaks down. Thus, the question from year to year is this: who is assuming the risk of Donald getting hurt or slowing down?
And this is where I don't really get his thinking. When he doesn't report for team activities or camp, the entirely reasonable motive is avoidance of injury. He doesn't want to get hurt while in negotiation. But if that is the concern, then why does he play seasons on a bargain, rookie contract when he could be making far more money right now?
There is no way that the Rams aren't offering him a lot of money. I assume they are offering him HUGE money somewhat in line with the widespread speculations. But even if the offer is lower, it simply cannot be much lower. And I assume the contract would be guaranteed.
So, if AD signs with the Rams now, the
TEAM ASSUMES THE RISK of his physical decline. AD is guaranteed a huge fortune for him and his family, no matter what happens. If he goes out in September and tears himself up (Ugh! I hate even writing those words) he will have achieved financial goals that can be transformative for generations. (You never know what athletes do with money.) From his point of view, that is a very good thing.
OK, so what if he keeps stringing things along. What if he plays this year with the old deal?
Well, 1st,
he assumes the risk of injury. One bad play and all his claims to huge money will go up in smoke. His career could be over. He could be significantly reduced. And even if he eventually comes back, his negotiating stance would be impaired until he could PROVE to the league that he was still an elite, special player. From his point of view, that would be really, really bad.
It would also delay the big payday in a short career. Suppose he got hurt and lost 2-3 years of negotiating leverage. Now, you're talking about a mid-career guy who could begin to slow down anyway. As an undersized guy, he has GOT to have superior quickness. Lose 1/4 of a step and he'd be far less than special. As an aging vet, he would never command the salary he's envisioning now.
Finally, there is the financial angle. From an investment perspective, the sooner you get a fortune working for you, the more you end up with long term. It costs him money to delay the timing of the big payday.
OK, as I said, I dunno a damn thing. I dunno what the Ram offer is. I dunno what time frames the 2 sides are talking. I dunno what strategy is really driving AD's side in the negotiation. I dunno from nothing.
But, I cannot see how he is making the smart play. He could have a historic contract tomorrow. I don't see what he gains or how he justifies the risks of not making a deal.
Still, go, Aaron Donald. And go, Rams.
