Los Angeles Rams: 5 Key questions prior to training camp
4. Can they sign Aaron Donald to a long-term deal?
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
Aaron Donaldalso is skipping OTAs, but his play has earned him the right to negotiate a top-dollar deal. Averaging 54.3 tackles and 9.3 sacks per year while often commanding double-teams afford him that right. Donald is the anchor the Rams require to build around to ensure the long-term viability of the defense.
Earlier this season, the Carolina Panthers re-signed defensive tackle Kawann Short to a five-year deal worth $80.5 million, according to NFL.com, setting market-price guidelines for Donald.
Los Angeles has a lot of good pieces around Donald but doesn’t have a great defense without him. And while the Rams have other key free-agents to sign on defense, Donald’s presence will only help them.
It’d be a shame for the Rams to have all the pieces around Donald locked in and Donald unavailable to re-sign over money. Whatever they pay him, even if it’s at the top of the market, it’s worth it for a player who has proven to be a cut above the rest at his position.