Aaron Donald, Rams agree to reworked deal with massive raise
Aaron Donald said he was willing to retire if he didn't receive a new contract from the Los Angeles Rams. The team obliged Monday with a reworked deal that will give the three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year a massive raise to keep playing.
Donald, 31, will get a fully guaranteed $65 million for the next two seasons and has an option to retire in 2024 or return for an additional $30 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The $95 million due to Donald over the next three seasons puts him ahead of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill for the title of highest paid non-quarterback in the NFL.
While the Rams didn't release the financial particulars of the deal, the team did confirm the news Monday that Donald will be back for the 2022 season.
Donald was the Rams' first-round pick in 2014 and has earned a spot in the Pro Bowl in all eight of his NFL seasons. After winning Defensive Rookie of the Year, Donald has been All-Pro in the last seven seasons and earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2017, 2018, and 2020. Last year, Donald finished the regular season with 12.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.
In Super Bowl LVI, Donald sacked Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow twice and blew up a fourth down play in the final minute of the game to seal the win for the Rams.
Last week, Donald said on a podcast that he was "at peace" with retiring if no new contract was reached.
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