Aaron Donald’s contract situation

[RamBall]

If AD doesnt report, he saves the Rams lots of $ and loses out on just as much as he saves the Rams. And after 3 yrs he will be free to hold what ever losing team hostage he choses to. I really thought AD hated losing but it looks like he would rather lose and make a few million $s more than win and make a few less. I'm beginning to think that ping pong game on hardknocks was scripted to make it look like AD doesnt like to lose.

 

[ramsince62]

The outcome here is inevitable.

Nothing has really changed, so I stand by what I said before.

Rams have a ceiling in mind and they will stand firm while trying to kill AD with kindness publicly.

At some point AD will play this year either with or without his extension.

As to the extension, Rams have overwhelming leverage whether some like it or not. AD will cave at some point rather than sitting without pay through the two seasons following this one.

Important point here that cannot be overstated. AD will not be a UFA until ‘21 at the earliest. Therefore, he will not be able to demand a true free market price for his services until then. Translation? We shouldn’t assign free market (UFA) numbers to his potential contract unless and until he becomes an actual UFA.

Personally, I think $21-22 million per for 5 years with $80 million guaranteed is in the win-win ballpark. But I’m not taking the snaps and I’m darned sure not writing the checks. ‘Course, no one else on this board is either. Lol.

I don't know how much is being offered, but based upon the GM's recent comments, I'm beginning to suspect the (yearly) money might be closer to $15-18 million. Also can't speak to how many years or the guarantee. But I think we should keep in mind that AD doesn't catch passes, throw, run with or kick the ball and at some point, there comes a limit when even the best DT in the business is worth only so much.

As to whether or when AD is a FA,... (IF) he were to hold to his word and refuses to play until paid, I strongly suspect under those circumstances that he'd be traded. I doubt seriously that ownership would just let the clock run out...:giveup:

Obviously that's an extreme result and hopefully unlikely. However, I'm concerned about what his agents and close collaborators are whispering in his ear. Sometimes a battle is fought just for principle or perceived unfairness... consider T.O's. HOF experience as an example. Sometimes business and personal get mixed together and the battle lines become more rigid.

 

[Ramhusker]

I wonder what kind of crap storm would get blown up if the Rams up and extended SUH??????

 

[Loyal]

I wonder what kind of crap storm would get blown up if the Rams up and extended SUH??????

Extend Suh and two #1's for AD?

 

[ReekofRams]

I wonder what kind of crap storm would get blown up if the Rams up and extended SUH??????

Crap enough to go around!

 

[RamFan503]

I don't know how much is being offered, but based upon the GM's recent comments, I'm beginning to suspect the (yearly) money might be closer to $15-18 million. Also can't speak to how many years or the guarantee. But I think we should keep in mind that AD doesn't catch passes, throw, run with or kick the ball and at some point, there comes a limit when even the best DT in the business is worth only so much.

As to whether or when AD is a FA,... (IF) he were to hold to his word and refuses to play until paid, I strongly suspect under those circumstances that he'd be traded. I doubt seriously that ownership would just let the clock run out...:giveup:

Obviously that's an extreme result and hopefully unlikely. However, I'm concerned about what his agents and close collaborators are whispering in his ear. Sometimes a battle is fought just for principle or perceived unfairness... consider T.O's. HOF experience as an example. Sometimes business and personal get mixed together and the battle lines become more rigid.

$15 - 18 doesn’t fit with what they are saying. Snead has been quoted and I believe KD has as well that the Rams are offering to make him the highest paid defender in history. You’d have to think that means $20+. I’m guessing GUESSING that it means AD’s agents are seeking far more than that.

 

[Rams4Lyfe]

For those saying he will lose money by reporting after tomorrow, I don’t believe are right. He would still collect his seasons salary if he were to play every game whether he is a UFA or RFA next year.

With that said, Donald’s team probably wants the Rams to get him to RFA status next year. The way I look at it, it’s his only real out. Correct me if I’m wrong, but we can’t franchise tag him in that scenario. The only thing we can do is give him a 1st round tender and have a chance to match the deal.

At that point, some team in the middle or end of the first round with a massive amount of cap would have no problem parting with their 1st rounder for the best player in the league. The Browns wouldn’t blink twice to do this. Along with any other team that could afford it.

If anything, the Rams should do what the Browns are doing with Gordon. They put him on the NFI list and letting his season accrue as normal. If the Rams did that, there would be no way for Donald to leave next offseason. If he is an RFA, there is a solid chance he can go.

 

[Mackeyser]

I have to think the money lost from missing the entire season would help close the difference a bit between what his reps are insisting on and what is on the table. But in the end I just don't see that happening. I don't think AD has a season-long holdout in him. He's not that type of dude.

And then what happens if the offers look like what the Rams already made? That could blow back on his agency. That along with the Rams matching after he sat out a year and from there it's pretty clear the agency isn't lookin out for their player but rather trying to make themselves look as good at possible with him suffering through it.

I agree. I think the agency is trying to 'set the market' so that it's easier to approach others and say "hey, we set the market. We're not afraid to take on the NFL, come sign with us."

I hate that crap. A large part of this is the crappy CBA that the players agreed to because everyone thinks they'll be an elite player and get that mega contract. Instead, this CBA has screwed elite rookies as well as JAG veterans and solely elevated those who can play past their 2nd contract...namely QBs.

It's why I'm banging the drum for max contracts. This way, there is no drama and it allows a team to either keep a few more stars or really spread the wealth and have significant depth.

But these $30M contracts are just awful.

Also, unless the NFL figures out how to monetize the streams and repackages their digital offerings to be more akin to iTunes than buying the whole album, then the next TV contracts will be SMALLER and the cap will shrink. Pure TV viewership is down substantially, even as overall viewership is up.

This is apropos to ADs situation as well as every other player in the NFL.

IF, IF, IF the NFL figures out the digital side of things, then the cap will continue to grow, tho maybe not at the current rate (or maybe faster). If they don't, the cap will shrink and the current CBA will really screw elite rookies as well as JAG vets and even those at the very top will be upset.

Seems Suh and Bradford really did hit the jackpot, timing wise, huh?

 

[Mackeyser]

Extend Suh and two #1's for AD?

The Rams may have no choice. If AD simply refuses to play for anything other than QB money, it seems like he'd better ask LeBron about the housing options in Cleveland, cuz that's maybe the only team that can pay that kind of money for one position not being the QB.

There are NO winning teams that are going to pay a DT/DE QB money. And the more analytics that get used, the lower the value becomes above a certain point. Even as an elite HoF level player, there's a cap.

Honestly, I'm over this.

I'll root for the Rams on the field and if AD decides to sign, great. If not, whatever. They'll probably extend Suh to ensure continuity and then have more space for Peters and then Goff.

I'd rather AD sign, but this BS is obnoxious. The Rams are willing to make AD the highest paid defender in the NFL and it seems like it's gonna be a pretty nice raise over the Suh contract.

Now, if AD was getting 20 sacks a season and making 80 tackles with 10FF, etc... then maybe. That's production of multiple players. But he's not. He's playing as one elite player and no team has ever won by breaking the bank in this fashion.

Didn't work with Haynesworth, didn't work with Suh in Miami and it'll break the Rams ability to retain maybe not Peters, but certainly guys like Joyner and maybe some on the OL which is critical.

I hope the Rams don't cave. It's important to live "we not me".

AD's one of my favorite players for how he plays the game, but I'd rather wish him well somewhere else than have him destroy this team's ability to field quality players in his quest to set some arbitrary benchmark.

If he was smart, he'd be the face of the franchise in LA and then go and have a movie career or whatever he wants to do bolstered by a city that loves him which also happens to be the movie capital of the world and one of the biggest media centers in the world.

 

[Loyal]

The Rams may have no choice. If AD simply refuses to play for anything other than QB money, it seems like he'd better ask LeBron about the housing options in Cleveland, cuz that's maybe the only team that can pay that kind of money for one position not being the QB.

There are NO winning teams that are going to pay a DT/DE QB money. And the more analytics that get used, the lower the value becomes above a certain point. Even as an elite HoF level player, there's a cap.

Honestly, I'm over this.

I'll root for the Rams on the field and if AD decides to sign, great. If not, whatever. They'll probably extend Suh to ensure continuity and then have more space for Peters and then Goff.

I'd rather AD sign, but this BS is obnoxious. The Rams are willing to make AD the highest paid defender in the NFL and it seems like it's gonna be a pretty nice raise over the Suh contract.

Now, if AD was getting 20 sacks a season and making 80 tackles with 10FF, etc... then maybe. That's production of multiple players. But he's not. He's playing as one elite player and no team has ever won by breaking the bank in this fashion.

Didn't work with Haynesworth, didn't work with Suh in Miami and it'll break the Rams ability to retain maybe not Peters, but certainly guys like Joyner and maybe some on the OL which is critical.

I hope the Rams don't cave. It's important to live "we not me".

AD's one of my favorite players for how he plays the game, but I'd rather wish him well somewhere else than have him destroy this team's ability to field quality players in his quest to set some arbitrary benchmark.

If he was smart, he'd be the face of the franchise in LA and then go and have a movie career or whatever he wants to do bolstered by a city that loves him which also happens to be the movie capital of the world and one of the biggest media centers in the world.

I still want AD. Get that long deal (in years) and let kids have a HOF hero to remember all of their lives. I had Merlin Olsen, kids today deserve AD.

 

[RamBall]

For those saying he will lose money by reporting after tomorrow, I don’t believe are right. He would still collect his seasons salary if he were to play every game whether he is a UFA or RFA next year.

With that said, Donald’s team probably wants the Rams to get him to RFA status next year. The way I look at it, it’s his only real out. Correct me if I’m wrong, but we can’t franchise tag him in that scenario. The only thing we can do is give him a 1st round tender and have a chance to match the deal.

At that point, some team in the middle or end of the first round with a massive amount of cap would have no problem parting with their 1st rounder for the best player in the league. The Browns wouldn’t blink twice to do this. Along with any other team that could afford it.

If anything, the Rams should do what the Browns are doing with Gordon. They put him on the NFI list and letting his season accrue as normal. If the Rams did that, there would be no way for Donald to leave next offseason. If he is an RFA, there is a solid chance he can go.

The only way for AD to avoid the franchise tag for 2019 & 2020 is to sign a long term deal before 2019. If he doesnt report by 8/7, tomorrow, the 2018 season will not count as an accrued season toward FA. By not taking the money and holding out AD is just dragging out how long it will be before he gets the deal his agents think he will get. His salary for 2018, current deal and 2019, franchise tag and 2020 franchise tag will be less than he would make in guaranteed $ if he were to sign the deal on the table and risking an injury that could limit his earnings beyond 2020. ADs agent is telling him to hold out because it makes the agent look good if the Rams fold, but with the leverage the Rams have in this situation his agent is costing him $. IMO ADs agent is not looking out for AD and AD should fire his punk ass and get an agent that wants to see AD maximize his earning potential by signing a long term deal now instead of playing the next 3 seasons before signing a longterm deal which would likely be his last chance at a big$ contract. If he were to sign for 5 years today he would earn more over the next 3 yrs then he will by not signing and he would be 2 yrs away from his next chance at a top$ contract. So he could sign 2 large contracts over the next 5-6 yrs or be under paid for 3 yrs then a big$ contract then at 35 or 36 he wont be able to capitalize like he could at say 32 or 33.

So as much as everyone says pay the man, the man must be willing to sign to maximize his potential earnings.

I'm just a high school dropout but you dont need a degree to see how AD is losing money by holding out.

 

[badnews]

Sounds almost socialistic in a way..... Just Pay The Man,...well that's great, that is "until you run out of other peoples money" or in this case potentially blow the budget or have to thin the herd to make it happen.

The fire department is socialistic.

One persons desires to be richer than everyone else to the point that if could end up screwing over a bunch of hardworking people (teammates) from being able to get paid what they deserve and crippling the economy (the teams salary cap)

This sounds more like good old free market capitalism to me.

 

[Mackeyser]

I still want AD. Get that long deal (in years) and let kids have a HOF hero to remember all of their lives. I had Merlin Olsen, kids today deserve AD.

I agree...and it's not up to us.

If AD would rather burn this bridge and make $26M/yr in Cleveland, then more power to him.

But when agents literally try to function as if there's no cap, it's beyond irresponsible. It's not zealously advocating for their clients. It's fiduciary malpractice.

 

[Ramhusker]

The Rams may have no choice. If AD simply refuses to play for anything other than QB money, it seems like he'd better ask LeBron about the housing options in Cleveland, cuz that's maybe the only team that can pay that kind of money for one position not being the QB.

There are NO winning teams that are going to pay a DT/DE QB money. And the more analytics that get used, the lower the value becomes above a certain point. Even as an elite HoF level player, there's a cap.

Honestly, I'm over this.

I'll root for the Rams on the field and if AD decides to sign, great. If not, whatever. They'll probably extend Suh to ensure continuity and then have more space for Peters and then Goff.

I'd rather AD sign, but this BS is obnoxious. The Rams are willing to make AD the highest paid defender in the NFL and it seems like it's gonna be a pretty nice raise over the Suh contract.

Now, if AD was getting 20 sacks a season and making 80 tackles with 10FF, etc... then maybe. That's production of multiple players. But he's not. He's playing as one elite player and no team has ever won by breaking the bank in this fashion.

Didn't work with Haynesworth, didn't work with Suh in Miami and it'll break the Rams ability to retain maybe not Peters, but certainly guys like Joyner and maybe some on the OL which is critical.

I hope the Rams don't cave. It's important to live "we not me".

AD's one of my favorite players for how he plays the game, but I'd rather wish him well somewhere else than have him destroy this team's ability to field quality players in his quest to set some arbitrary benchmark.

If he was smart, he'd be the face of the franchise in LA and then go and have a movie career or whatever he wants to do bolstered by a city that loves him which also happens to be the movie capital of the world and one of the biggest media centers in the world.

I agree. I hope the Rams don't cave but I was so wanting to see this D with AD and Suh on the line. What a nightmare! This really punishes the fans more than anything else. I wish this would get over and done. And, Atlanta is rapidly becoming a leading media center. A lot of movies and TV shows are being made there now.

 

[bubbaramfan]

AD to Rams "ME--NOT WE"

 

[Mackeyser]

I agree. I hope the Rams don't cave but I was so wanting to see this D with AD and Suh on the line. What a nightmare! This really punishes the fans more than anything else. I wish this would get over and done. And, Atlanta is rapidly becoming a leading media center. A lot of movies and TV shows are being made there now.

That's true. A TON of big budget movies are being made in Atlanta.

Know who's to thank for that? Believe it or not, Tyler Perry. When he got his money for a 3 movie deal, he moved his productions to Atlanta and that brought industry people there and started the economy which allowed the politicos to lobby for the bigger budget movies with tax breaks, etc and it was doable because the infrastructure was there. Sorta like all the period pieces are made in the former Czech republic because there are skilled craftspeople there as well as prime locations.

Kinda weird to think that all the MCU movies have Tyler Perry to thank in a small way...

 

[tempests]

I wonder what kind of crap storm would get blown up if the Rams up and extended SUH??????

I suspect Suh isn't going to play for 14 million again.

Five years older than Donald with plenty of tread on his tires.

 

[Akrasian]

I suspect Suh isn't going to play for 14 million again.

Five years older than Donald with plenty of tread on his tires.

Yeah, the Rams will settle for a third round comp pick for him, I'm sure