Snead has said he had money budgeted for AD. I believe this statement. Thing is I'm not worried about it at all. Here is my reasoning.
Last year his agent negotiated all off season while AD held out. It resulted in him playing for the same slot of his rookie contract and he won DPOTY. While it might be comforting to have him signed long term it worked out great for the Rams and the result is great for AD. He didn't wear down in the summer practices and he obviously didn't need them. I was upset he missed the first game, but beside that I was happy with the result. Could be the same scenario this off season. AD's agent spends a ton of time making outrageous demands, AD holds out but repeats as DPOTY and with Suh and the CBS we have the number one D and win the Super Bowl. At that point we need to actually extend AD or tag him. I don't see even a sliver of stress from the Rams' standpoint and if you're AD you're confident that eventually you'll get your big payday which is much deserved. The only wrench is if AD gets hurt. I would look to sign the big money deal and not worry about other D players' contracts to make sure I get a dollar more than the other top contract. That's where vanity and stupidity and greed enter the equation. If the Rams offer him 20 million a year he should sign as fast as he can get the top off the pen. Does it really matter if you make 110 million or one hundred million? You can't spend the money if you tried. But you could get hurt before signing the contract and not make any of it. Happens all the time. I'd like to see a signing for everyone's sake, but really I'm not stressing it at all.