I’ve got a hypothetical and possibly semi-heretical question about AD’s possible extension…

[RamUK]

The guy just closed out the Championship game and the Super Bowl and people are pondering trading him.

That's fine if we're not serious about repeating, dumb as fuck if we are.

This team wasn't so good you can take Miller and Donald out and get close to being as good.

Go for it balls to the wall again this year and screw next year for the time being.

Until the year after of course.

Then I'll whine and bitch like a little girl if we suck.

 

[RamUK]

He is already the highest paid DT by a mile and he's only halfway through his contract (which made him the highest paid defensive player when signed). It's fair to ask him to play it out, but I'd rather figure out a 2 yr extension (e.g., $62m more) that makes him the highest paid defensive player over the next five years (even if it's only the top defensive contract for a minute).

We could structure to free up a few million on the 22 cap, guarantee $75m over the next three years for AD and give both parties exits in 2025.

Would need a three year commitment from AD (no take backs).

I don't think you can only compare him to interior Dlineman because he is so much more than that. He has to be compared to Dlinemen in general and there are 4 paid more than him, Bosa, Mack, Watt and Garrett, with Watt netting 25% more.

At this moment in time, he is better than those guys.

 

[Merlin]

The guy just closed out the Championship game and the Super Bowl and people are pondering trading him.

I think it's appropriate to discuss right now. Up until the Rams get him inked. Nobody wants the Rams to move him, he's AD. But if you've been watching football long enough shit happens. Still remember the day we traded Dickerson, though that was due to cheap ownership that didn't want to pay anyone.

Your defensive reaction there, btw, is rarely beneficial to something like this. It was that type of reaction that led so many to reject Stafford. Fact is previous Super Bowls were won without AD or a dominant 3T, and more will be won without that in the future. Hopefully the Rams don't end up there but if they do I think we're gonna be ok.

 

[UKram]

I try not to get attached to players but if there are two players who play for the rams for life and never wear another uniform it has to be coop and AD99

 

[Turducken]

I don't think you can only compare him to interior Dlineman because he is so much more than that. He has to be compared to Dlinemen in general and there are 4 paid more than him, Bosa, Mack, Watt and Garrett, with Watt netting 25% more.

At this moment in time, he is better than those guys.

AD's cap hit over the next 3 years is $25.5m/yr. He stands to make less than that because he was prepaid with a big signing bonus. His 6 yr deal averaged $22.5m/yr.

He's halfway through a six year contract where he's already been paid $78m of the $135m total. If you tore up his contract today and have him a new one, that would mean that he was paid $26m/yr over the last three years (not the $22.5m bargained for).

My point is that he is 50% through his contract but he's already pocketed 58% of it (and over 60% of its value of you factor inflation).

OTC's valuation of AD's 2021 on field production was $20.6m (doesn't include his playoff production - which was priceless).

He and Watt have equivalent values now (OTC valued Watt's 2021 season at $22m), but Watt is three years younger and the odds are that he will be outplaying AD by 2024.

Snead has the moral highground in the negotiations, AD should be asking to extend with some new guaranteed money, but it doesn't sound like he wants to commit to playing longer. So it's a stalemate.

If AD can ask for major contact sweeteners without an extension, what stops Kupp from doing it?

 

[dieterbrock]

If AD can ask for major contact sweeteners without an extension, what stops Kupp from doing it?

They'll be working on a Kupp extension next, if they havent started already

 

[tempests]

Snead sounds optimistic that they'll get this done. AFAIC an extension works for both sides.

Might have to exercise a little more patience, but I trust this FO.

 

[Loyal]

Just remember how hard it was to find a DT worth a damn before Aaron Donald. I remember the Adam Carriker years too well and I think we are spoiled by recent success. Without Aaron Donald, we don't have a Super Bowl win. I think our window will be closed without him.

 

[oldnotdead]

The Rams are a franchise all players want to be a part of. Why? Because they treat you right, with respect. They could have gotten more for Woods but they did right by him, by allowing him to have input on his final destination. Woods wanted to be on a contender, so they took less to trade him to the Titans, which was approved by Robert.

This is why they are going to restructure AD's contract to not only clear room this year, but to pay AD his due. He's clearly one of the greatest to ever play in the NFL. The Rams want to do right by him. That kind of respect isn't lost on the players. Guys like Robinson want to come here. It's not only because of the team is a legit contender, but because of the culture that is unique in the NFL. A big part of that culture is respect. Whitworth has more than once talked about it.

Whitworth has been approached by the Rams to play a mentoring role on the team. He's still doing it with the OL guys in his garage with his daily workouts.

The Rams are a unique organization from top to bottom. That is why they would never be disrespectful towards AD.

 

[majrleaged]

As I mentioned in the other thread if this contract is causing issues for the Rams the answer is trading him. You don't tell him to sit down and stfu. You move him, thank him for the memories, and reload with the picks.

Totally disagree. There isn't a player on any defense that causes more trouble for the opposition. You will not get anything good enough in return. The teams that trade away the best players in the league always loose the trade. See Kareem and Dickerson and Shaq. What if anything did those teams get in return. Nothing we remember. Maybe 3 years from now. Not now.

 

[Turducken]

They'll be working on a Kupp extension next, if they havent started already

Extensions are good. Paying more for same number of seasons are not.

 

[Rams43]

Just remember how hard it was to find a DT worth a damn before Aaron Donald. I remember the Adam Carriker years too well and I think we are spoiled by recent success. Without Aaron Donald, we don't have a Super Bowl win. I think our window will be closed without him.

Those dark days were pre-Snead/McVay.

IOW, these guys have proven able to build and continually restock this roster.

AD ain’t gonna play forever. At some point Rams are gonna have to win without him. Only question is exactly WHEN the man decides to retire.

 

[Loyal]

Those dark days were pre-Snead/McVay.

IOW, these guys have proven able to build and continually restock this roster.

AD ain’t gonna play forever. At some point Rams are gonna have to win without him. Only question is exactly WHEN the man decides to retire.

But, you don't just re-stock an AD, and his retirement is not yet. I want him to retire as a Ram, with 145 plus sacks.

 

[Merlin]

I think our window will be closed without him.

I don't think that's true. Rams would load it up with Robinson at 3T and someone spelling him, draft a rook, and they'd be a different team. Still a contender though.

 

[Loyal]

I don't think that's true. Rams would load it up with Robinson at 3T and someone spelling him, draft a rook, and they'd be a different team. Still a contender though.

but not a winner. of Super Bowls

 

[Merlin]

but not a winner. of Super Bowls

We don't need a 3T to win Super Bowls.

AD is great. The guy is a first ballot Hall of Famer. But he is one player. This fatalist attitude like the Rams are only winning because of him is a bit much.

And I don't like arguing this because I love AD and want him in horns. But let's be realistic here.

 

[Loyal]

We don't need a 3T to win Super Bowls.

AD is great. The guy is a first ballot Hall of Famer. But he is one player. This fatalist attitude like the Rams are only winning because of him is a bit much.

And I don't like arguing this because I love AD and want him in horns. But let's be realistic here.

He's not just a great player, he wrecks games. His opponents say that. Can you honestly say we get to and win Super Bowl 56 without his game breaking plays? Sure we could win in the future, but the way this team wins depends heavily on him.

 

[AvengerRam]

Because his CAP hits are as follows:
2022 26,750 mill
2023 23,500 mill
2024 23,500 mill
So an extension allows the Rams to reward Donald AND make more CAP space available
Locks him up for good, AND frees up CAP space to sign others
Win/Win

I’ll have what he’s having.

 

[bubbaramfan]

3 1st rounders and 2 2nds.

Get 'er done.

 

[oldnotdead]

I'm sure the Rams are going to structure the deal to be at a maximum of 3 playing years. If there is a 4th year it will be basically a void year to spread the impact.

After AD retires whenever that will be they will still have Gaines inside and as long as they have good edges on both sides they can still be a very good defense with Ramsey and Rochell locking down the boundaries and with Fuller, Scott, and Rapp (probably their nickel) on the back end. Since Morris plays a zone heavy defense, Rapp is fine as an in the box zone SS with Fuller and Scott behind him.

BTW Danielle Hunter's restructure is really a one year deal, for trading this year. or next year. I still say he's a perfect fit to play opposite Floyd. Wagner apparently didn't like the money and is visiting the Ravens. IMO there is still hope for trading if not for Hunter than for someone like him. The AD restructure will clear more cap space, enough for OBJ and one more trade. IMO AD's contract is all that is holding things up finishing off this off season.