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The Los Angeles Rams have finally agreed to terms on a contract extension with DL Aaron Donald making him the highest paid non-quarterback in the NFL:
Long time coming: Rams and Aaron Donald finalizing a record 6-year, $135 million, including $87 million guaranteed, per source. Richest defensive deal in NFL history.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2018
Donald now tied to LA for next seven years. And he will be ready for Monday night opener vs. Raiders.
Amid a contentious process that began in 2017 and saw a protracted holdout that led into a second such holdout this offseason, the Rams and Donald continued to close the gap before finally coming to terms.
The deal resets the market for non-QBs and defensive players as it completely overhauls the ceiling.
Donald was drafted 13th overall by the Rams in the 2014 NFL Draft. He’s spent all four years of his career as a defensive star for the Rams, reeling in four Pro Bowls, three first-team All-Pros, the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year and the 2014 Defensive Rookie of the Year. Donald has accumulated 148 tackles, 39 sacks, 8 pass deflections, and 9 forced fumbles in his short yet illustrious career.
With Donald finally locked down, the Rams are full steam ahead toward the 2018 regular season with higher expectations than the franchise has carried in more than a decade.
Even with the record-breaking deal, Aaron Donald’s salary-cap number for the 2018 season rises from $6.892 million to $8.892 million. Rams get their man without suffocating impact to their salary cap this season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2018
Update: Donald is going to be a very rich man:
Rams DT Aaron Donald gets $40M to sign per source. Biggest signing bonus for non-QB ever.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 31, 2018
Also, Aaron Donald makes $50M the first two years, all of which is fully guaranteed with no offset.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 31, 2018