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The Los Angeles Rams held their first organized team activity today and their best player, DT Aaron Donald, is a no-show. And not because he’s ailing.
Aaron Donald not at Rams OTAs. McVay said it wasn't Injury related, declined to say whether it was related to contract issues.
— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) May 22, 2017
It’s because the Rams, who will literally cut the largest of checks for the most obscure of reasons, have yet to offer the three-time Pro Bowler to a long-term, lucrative deal. The team did recently exercise their fifth-year option on the NFL’s best interior defensive lineman — but that’s good for just over $3M in 2017. Fourteen other players on the Rams’ roster are slated to make more in the upcoming year.
The Rams appear to be doing a pretty solid job of upsetting their star players by failing to pay them accordingly. On the flip side, WR Tavon Austin is slated to make $14.98M in 2017. That’s more than Julio Jones and Antonio Brown, for what it’s worth.
Surely the Rams aren’t silly enough to let this drag on, but one’s got to wonder (once again) why he hasn’t been locked down already. Rams’ GM Les Snead attempted to clarify:
Snead said Rams are at "serious stage" of contract negotiations and he respects Donald. Details will be "intimate."
— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) May 22, 2017
VIDEO: Rams GM Les Snead on DT Aaron Donald's absence from OTAs, contract discussions "serious." @CVRamsClub @TurfShowTimes @DowntownRams pic.twitter.com/CVmrk7LYP1
— Joe Curley (@vcsjoecurley) May 22, 2017
Just pay the man already.