AD is going to be a Ram at least through the next contract.
The issue is finding the right number and structure. Usually the hard part revolves around length of contract and guaranteed money.
For the moment I think I lean towards the Rams direction on this. AD is under contract to the Rams for 2 more years. That's before we enter the world of franchise tags and the like. So to me AD is premature in his contract demands although I do understand his position. But why would the Rams want to cripple themselves cap wise next year just to make one player "happy"? Especially a non-QB. And especially when that player has two choices: play for the Rams or don't play.
Somewhere in all this there is a sweet spot that is going to set AD for life, and give the Rams what they need in cap flexibility. How to arrive there is the issue, but there is tons of time to work this out.....and I don't mean before training camp.I mean another year and more.
AD would lose my respect to hold out for training camp. He's under contract, and he has an obligation to show up. Ethically, he needs to be there.
The Rams are under no obligation at all to renegotiate his contract. However, they too realize (and have said so publicly) that they agree that AD deserves more money and they are willing to pay him more......even though for the short term they don't have to. But for the Rams it is not a matter of ethics because they are fulfilling the contract terms; it is a matter of good business decisions and to some degree an issue of fundamental fairness.
Not to worry. This will get done. But I'd bet not until just before Training Camp of 2018.