LA Rams Forges a “Win-Win Solution” to Retain Aaron Donald Amid Retirement Row

The Super Bowl champion Rams are maintaining their priorities in check, or at least attempt to do so during their offseason. This offseason, the Rams reconfigured their receiver roster hierarchy. While Aaron Donald hinted in the lead-up to Super Bowl LVI that he could retire if the Rams won. However, the defensive tackle has yet to make a formal declaration. Currently, Los Angeles looks to be gearing up for Donald’s return in 2022.

Sean McVay, the Rams’ head coach, has stated that he wants the All-Pro back for the 2022 season. The host gave McVay a mic while on the podium in front of supporters at the Rams’ championship parade and began yelling: “Run it back! Run it back!” While Von Miller agreed to sign with the Bills, OBJ’s status is perplexing. HC Snead said Donald has sent him positive indications.

According to many publications, Donald pondered retiring after his team’s Super Bowl victory, not only for contractual reasons; but also for personal primary motivations. The team hasn’t seemed afraid that he’d go away.

Is Aaron Donald a cornerstone of the LA Rams?

Les Snead, the Rams’ general manager, reveals to Kevin Modesti of the Southern California News Group. He mentions the team has been in talks with Donald’s agents regarding a contract renewal. They have now shifted their focus to standout defensive tackle Aaron Donald after signing quarterback Matthew Stafford to a $160 million extension last week.

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He states, “We definitely have chatted with Aaron, his representation, and we’re trying to come up with a win-win solution to reward Aaron but still definitely be able to continue trying to compete as a team at the highest level. So, we’re in progress there.”

Aaron has expressed his desire to return, and he would certainly like to continue to perform extraordinary things not only as an individual player but as a team, according to Snead. Last season, Donald recorded a career-high in total tackles (84) and assisted tackles (46), while bludgeoning offensive lines to the tune of 12.5 sacks. The former Pitt Panther also had four passes defended, his most since 2016 (five).

Will the Rams favor forming the Super Bowl Winning Team?

Currently, Aaron Donald has surpassed his contract, following a 2021 postseason in which he won his first Super Bowl. With important players like WR Odell Beckham Jr. becoming a free agent, and Von Miller getting traded to the Buffalo Bills, Snead has a lot to worry about. The Rams want to renegotiate a raise while staying under the salary cap in order to make other necessary moves.

Matthew Stafford’s 4-year, $160 million deal extension through 2026 allowed them to do so with minimal salary-cap consequence. Due to salary cap issues, GM Snead and HC Sean McVay parted ways with the two most popular Rams: they traded WR Robert Woods on Saturday, while they released punter Johnny Hekker. They mentioned the possibility of OBJ returning. However, his ACL tear is making things complex.

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