Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams are currently engaged in a financial standoff. It’s not contentious or problematic right now, but there’s very clearly a disagreement about the defensive tackle’s contract.
Donald wants a new deal that will pay him more than the $14.2 million he’s set to earn in 2022, and he deserves a raise given the way he’s played since signing his extension in 2018. The Rams have engaged in talks with Donald’s representation, attempting to work toward a solution to ensure No. 99 is still in Los Angeles next season.
The Rams want Donald back, and he would like to compete for another championship, but the two sides have yet to agree on a number that works for both parties.
The problem for the Rams is that Donald holds all the cards in this situation. That became even more evident during his interview on the “I Am Athlete” podcast when he made it abundantly clear that he doesn’t need to keep playing football.
“I’m happy. I’m fine. The thing is, I don’t need to play football to be fine. I’m fine,” he said. “I was blessed to play this game, to make the money I’ve made, the accomplishments I made in eight years is, like, I’m complete. If I can win another one, that’s great. But if not, I’m at peace.”
More than anything, that quote right there should worry fans about Donald’s future with the Rams. He’s not bluffing, either. Donald has accomplished everything he set out to, from individual accolades to winning a Super Bowl. There’s really nothing left for him to do besides win another ring (or two).
When he came into the NFL, he only planned to play eight years, which he’s now done.
“But me talking about retirement, that was happening way before we won a Super Bowl,” he added. “I’ve been saying that since I got into the league: I was going to play eight years and be done. That’s just what I’ve been saying. It just came out and then everybody think that, ‘Oh, he said if he wins a…