Stop us if you’ve heard this one before, but the Rams and Aaron Donald are still on the verge of completing an extension. Despite the lack of updates in recent days, the two sides are still on course for a deal that will make Donald the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, a source with knowledge of the situation tells Mike Florio of PFT. 
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There has been talk of a deal coming together soon, but head coach Sean McVay also recently denied that a deal is around the corner. Despite the misdirection, the deal still seems to be something of an inevitability. Even though the Rams gave their defense the Hollywood treatment this offseason, they recognize Donald’s value and will likely find a way to give him a history-making contract.
When all is said and done, it is expected that Donald’s deal will average about $22MM/year with up to $80MM guaranteed overall. Of course, the overall guarantee is different from the fully guaranteed amount at signing, and that will be a key metric in evaluating the deal.
Has somebody let Aaron know he’s on fire?
If they do sign him, they better win it all, because they’re putting themselves into salary cap hell. In 2 years, It’ll be a top heavy roster w/ 10 players. The other 43 will have to be lower draft choices for cap sake.
They have an open window until they have to pony up with Goff after his rookie contract expires. Whitworth (36) Talib (32) and Suh (31) will be off the books by then freeing up a nice piece of change.
Yeah, right now they can afford to pay all their offensive and defensive studs, AND even add high salary guys on one and two year deals…But this is SOLELY due to the fact that they have Goff on a rookie deal..
Once Goff gets paid, then their free agency fun will predominantly be over..They might consider front loading Donald’s deal, so he isn’t as expensive when Goff’s deal expires, and all their other young studs are reaching high annual salaries…Just a thought..
But yeah, I say lock everyone up while you can, because once Goff gets paid, it’s going to be a lot more difficult to keep and add depth to the Rams roster…
Their strategy has some risk but you never win anything by playing it safe. Within their division only the Niners are trending upwards. The Seahawks glory days have ended and the Cardinals are in the position of needing a major reboot. Wade Phillips has more talent on this Rams defense than he had in Denver when he won a title.
If it doesn’t pan out, then they can always go back to St.Louis…lol.
This is the NFL. If they dont like the team in 2 years when Goff should demand a huge raise they release or renegotiate a couple contracts and move on. This isnt the NHL or MLB where contracts are guaranteed.