The Los Angeles Rams have shelled out a ton of money this offseason to both keep their core intact and add new talent, and defensive tackle Aaron Donald was seemingly the last missing piece of the puzzle before Friday.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Donald and the Rams are finalizing a six-year contract that will make the 27-year-old the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.
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.
Donald now tied to LA for next seven years. And he will be ready for Monday night opener vs. Raiders.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2018
The Rams created $7 million in salary cap space this week by restructuring the contracts of offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth and wide receiver Robert Woods, so the Donald deal was expected to be completed before the start of the regular season.
Donald has been holding out this offseason, but there were no indications that the situation between him and the Rams had gotten as ugly as a fellow star defender’s has with his team. The expectation all along was that Donald would set the market when he eventually signed a new deal, and that is exactly what happened.
