[
www.thesportster.com] Aaron Donald Signs Massive Contract Extension With Rams
BY
ALEX HOEGLER
PUBLISHED AUG 31, 2018
The Los Angeles Rams and defensive end Aaron Donald have agreed to a lucrative seven-year contract extension, according to reports.
Dec 3, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Rams have signed star defensive end Aaron Donald to a whopping six-year extension worth $135 million, making him the highest paid defensive player in the NFL, per Ian Rapoport.
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year had been in deep contract talks with the Rams for a while. Reports had suggested for a while that a deal would get done in the immediate future. Sure enough, Donaldson becomes one very wealthy man, just over a week before the Rams kick off their season against the Oakland Raiders.
Donald joins Odell Beckham Jr. and Aaron Rodgers in the club of players who received lucrative deals this week. The New York Giants star wideout signed a five-year extension worth $95 million, while Rodgers became the NFL's highest paid player with a four-year, $134 million contract.
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos star pass-rusher Von Miller was previously the NFL's highest paid defensive player, signing a six-year contract worth $114.5 million during the 2016 offseason. But Donald - a four-time Pro Bowler - now takes the cake, and it'll be a long time until another defensive players comes anywhere close to landing that extension.
The Rams are coming off an 11-5 season, in which they won the NFC West and reached the postseason for the first time in 13 years. Re-signing Donald long term ensures they have two franchise stars to build around, in he and quarterback Jared Goff.
Through his first four NFL seasons, Donald has registered 39 sacks and nine forced fumbles. He was the top graded player by Pro Football Focus for the 2017 season, garnering a 94.4 grade.
With Donald signing his new contract, one wonders if this will affect the Khalil Mack situation in Oakland. The 27-year-old continues to hold out, as the two sides continue to avoid contract talks.
But for now, the main story here is that Donald is the new highest paid defensive player in the league, and it will likely stay that way for a while.
