Was doing the extensions TWO years ahead of time. Period. Simply do NOT extend someone when they have more than one year left on their deal. Austin. Gurley. Goff. Would have helped in all cases. In the case of Austin he would not have received an extension at all. Gurley? If they had waited until after the 2018 season ended (vs. the summer before) do you think the Rams give him the same deal? No chance.

Even with Donald, they extended him the summer before going into the 5th and final season of his rookie deal. That's how you do it.