The Los Angeles Rams have been making deals like nobody’s business this offseason, leading many to wonder how in the world they’re going to sign Aaron Donald to a long-term deal.
One of the moves they’re reportedly lining up is signing recent trade acquisition Brandin Cooks to a long-term extension. While that may seem counterproductive to Donald’s situation, in reality it actually works in favor of it.
Steve Wyche of NFL Network explained it on Wednesday, noting that signing Cooks to a long-year deal actually will reduce his salary-cap figure for this year (currently at just under $8.5 million).
The Rams didn’t give up a first-round pick to NE for Brandin Cooks for just one season. My report on a forthcoming long term deal and how it won’t be prohibitive in getting a mega-deal finalized for DT Aaron Donald pic.twitter.com/cb2TMFG0N0
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) April 4, 2018
Wyche continued, saying, “Speaking to someone today, they’ve got all the economic flexibility, space and strategy to get Aaron Donald done before the season.”
When Donald does sign his mega-deal, it’s probably going to be bigger than any contract for a defensive player in NFL history. Even going back to last year, the Rams had conceded that point.
So right now, while Donald works out with knives(!) preparing for the season, it looks like Los Angeles is working overtime to makes sure he’s locked into the organization for the foreseeable future.