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David Deacon
Certainly AD has all the risk on his side if he doesn't sign a deal.
If AD holds out he misses a year of salary.
If AD plays under this years contracts he risks injury without a big deal.
If he decides to force a trade & the Rams don't play ball he loses a year or more.
Unless he signs with someone this year he loses money over the course of his career.
You mentioned the franchise Tag. If it gets that far and lets say he could have earned 21 Mil on the Rams deal and holds out this year how does he make that money up? It will take 5 years which doesn't include lost endorsements an the time value of money.
Can AD force a trade? If he wants to but I think that he wants to be a Ram.
I think both parties want to be together and will get a deal done. It is what makes the most sense. Rams want to have stars and AD is a star among stars.
AD loves the Rams and LA offers him the best endorsement opportunities. If they are really in the ballpark now to me that means each side moved a bit closer to the final number and that they are negotiating. May take a couple of weeks since AD agent is a hard negotiator.
When his signs his deal we will finally both know what he is worth.
The biggest risk, which is relatively small, is that AD becomes a RFA which means it MIGHT lower the amount of suitors because they would have to give up a draft pick (or maybe multiple picks and/or players). I see that as Donald's biggest risk. Otherwise I don't see any plausible risk for Donald unless he plays without an extension of course. Rams either sign Donald or they don't. They get a draft pick and salary cap relief, if they needed it or they pay a premium for the best defensive player in the league.
I too feel like AD and the Rams want to get the deal done. And if they really are in the same ballpark (who knows) then a deal should get done.