After months of negotiations and an extended holdout for the second summer in a row, Aaron Donald has finally landed his mega-deal with the Los Angeles Rams.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Donald’s new contract is a six-year deal worth $135 million, with a staggering $87 million guaranteed.
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
None of this is remotely surprising, however. Donald is not only the best overall defender in the game today but arguably the best overall player in the league, too.
The Rams have hinted that Donald’s deal, whenever it came together, would set a record, and this certainly does that.
In his first four NFL seasons, Donald has made four Pro Bowls and has been named to the First-team All-Pro squad in each of his last three seasons. He’s racked up 205 combined tackles, 39 sacks and nine forced fumbles, which is absurd production from any player, let alone a defensive tackle.
Now that Donald is back in the fold, the very healthy Rams are in great shape to build upon their impressive 2017 season and appear to be the best team in the ultra-competitive NFC West.