UPDATE - Aaron Donald Contract Extension - SIGNED

[PhillyRam]

Pay him and get it over with. AD has never slacked off. He's always ready to play and he leads by example. I never want to see him in another uniform.

Then Ramsey's agent calls and wants a new deal too.

So the Rams then lose all their FAs next yr including guys like Greg Gaines & Ashawn Robinson... and can't bring anyone new in. Also, will have to cut a few guys since they currently are listed as only having $10M of cap space next yr.... Window officially closed.

 

[hotanez]

Then Ramsey's agent calls and wants a new deal too.

So the Rams then lose all their FAs next yr including guys like Greg Gaines & Ashawn Robinson... and can't bring anyone new in. Also, will have to cut a few guys since they currently are listed as only having $10M of cap space next yr.... Window officially closed.

Teams lose players all the time. The thing is you can't lose a player like AD, you just can't replace a HOF type player. I kept hearing these arguments during his last extension/holdout. We can't pay him that much, a DT doesn't effect the game like a QB. After he got his last deal did he disappoint? Our window didn't close because of him being the highest paid defensive player. Without AD that will officially close that window.

 

[Merlin]

Teams lose players all the time. The thing is you can't lose a player like AD, you just can't replace a HOF type player. I kept hearing these arguments during his last extension/holdout. We can't pay him that much, a DT doesn't effect the game like a QB. After he got his last deal did he disappoint? Our window didn't close because of him being the highest paid defensive player. Without AD that will officially close that window.

You make a lot of sense there Hot until the end where you say our window will be closed. Not buying that.

This team is still loaded. They're still a tough out in the playoffs even if they will probably get knocked out without AD this year. But the next year they'd reload defensively and be just fine.

As long as we have McVay and a QB our window will remain open.

 

[payote75]

I mentioned the same thing as @PhillyRam as well and Ramsey was my example too.
I say pay the man too but as fans we do need to be aware of the reprocussions. So some people pointing those out aren't wrong and those of us that want him to get paid aren't wrong either because that window does pretty much shut should he retire.

Everyone on either side of the fence makes valid points though because they kind of all intertwine the decision not how much and how often he gets to do it could eventually make some of the personalities that our culture has kept in check step out and speak up.
This is such a fine line not everyone is Coop or Stafford. AD deserves his money but we all need to be aware that it could have a ripple effect throughout the team/team culture maybe not immediately but for sure at some point down the line.

 

[1maGoh]

Is that what he is asking for? I didn't know I haven't heard any specific numbers. Watt is 28 million rt? So what would you say is fair? 30? 32? This is where it gets crazy.

He didn't throw out a specific number. He did say the gap between QBs and everybody else shouldn't be so big. Given that on the defensive side the top contract is $28-29m annual and the QBs top contract is $50m annual, $35m is on the low side of "reducing the gap". $40m or $45m would actually be a significant reduction in the gap between QBs and the defensive side and reducing the gap is what has advocating for.

Unless this is all bullshit to get the Rams to sign him for $30m, assuming he's being genuine in any way with what he said in that interview, $35m is the bottom of the range he's alluding to.

 

[hotanez]

You make a lot of sense there Hot until the end where you say our window will be closed. Not buying that.

This team is still loaded. They're still a tough out in the playoffs even if they will probably get knocked out without AD this year. But the next year they'd reload defensively and be just fine.

As long as we have McVay and a QB our window will remain open.

np Merlin, we may never see eye to eye but your right, this team is loaded and they would continue to make noise in the playoffs. I just think with AD the chances of winning another SB are excellent.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Pay him what he wants. He’s the best defensive player in the league. If the numbers become a serious issue in a couple years…trade him.

 

[Turducken]

If AD was to retire I think he would owe the Rams a huge refund. He has received prepaid bonuses (original signing and then retructuring) worth $12.5m plus he got a $5m roster bonus a couple months ago. I think he would have to repay the signing bonuses, probably the roster bonus too (depending on contract language).

This is a sensitive issue no doubt, because even though the Rams hold most of the leverage, they don't want to play hardball with AD. If he walks then we need to recoup that money or it counts as dead money against the cap, but recouping it from a bitter AD could lead to a Calvin Johnson situation (actually much worse).

They gotta figure this out, but if AD won't extend there are no good options (other than to hold tight and hope he eventually gives in when the season starts).

 

[Merlin]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdgOpFDJfdM&ab_channel=TheRichEisenShow

 

[bubbaramfan]

AD has a contract, with 3 years left on it. He held out one game to get it, Now he's doing it again and threatening to retire if he doesn't get "his number".

I think its a chicken shit tactic and who's to say he doesn't do it again next year. I loathe players who do this shit when they are already under contract. Pay him a bonus, OK, but a whole new contract? Contracts are worthless if players force management to come back to the table every year.

 

[bubbaramfan]

Oh, and add to that he's missing OTA"S (I know they're voluntary, but I bet Kupp is there), which would be helpful to the new guys. And what about maybe signing another player who might help, but they can;t because AD is asking for more money?

AD has turned into a "Me not WE" Diva.

Yeah, I'm pissed. He's hurting the team and if he retires I won't lose a minute of sleep.

 

[payote75]

He didn't throw out a specific number. He did say the gap between QBs and everybody else shouldn't be so big. Given that on the defensive side the top contract is $28-29m annual and the QBs top contract is $50m annual, $35m is on the low side of "reducing the gap". $40m or $45m would actually be a significant reduction in the gap between QBs and the defensive side and reducing the gap is what has advocating for.

Unless this is all bullshit to get the Rams to sign him for $30m, assuming he's being genuine in any way with what he said in that interview, $35m is the bottom of the range he's alluding to.

What's you top amount you or anyone else on this board would be comfortable with? Are you ok with h 35 million? I'm curious to get people's opinion.

 

[den-the-coach]

Yeah, I'm pissed. He's hurting the team and if he retires I won't lose a minute of sleep.

While I applaud your esprit de corps I believe I would lose some sleep if AD retired.

 

[ottoman89]

What's you top amount you or anyone else on this board would be comfortable with? Are you ok with h 35 million? I'm curious to get people's opinion.

$29-$30mil. Not that he doesn't deserve more, but man, we have to get out of this salary cap strap sometime.

 

[Loyal]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwEIjbfOHD0

 

[payote75]

$29-$30mil. Not that he doesn't deserve more, but man, we have to get out of this salary cap strap sometime.

My thought is no way he goes for just a million over Watt. Seems he may want to reshape the market. Which he deserves but also again speaking out of both sides of his mouth if he wants crazy money and maintain a real roster that has a legit chance at winning. I say this again with AD being my favorite all time Ram and I go back to 1988 as a 12 yr old. I hope all this works out man.

 

[Merlin]

If he wants $35m you trade him, sign Suh or trade for a solid DT if the DL depth chart feels light, and try to go win another one without him.

If the Rams knew he was outside their cost window they should have made the move earlier this offseason. Waiting only makes things harder, though with a player of his stature there will be a market the moment he comes available.

The one thing I cannot respect is being paralyzed by fear or indecision. Either get him signed or make the hard call.

 

[Loyal]

If he wants $35m you trade him, sign Suh or trade for a solid DT if the DL depth chart feels light, and try to go win another one without him.

If the Rams knew he was outside their cost window they should have made the move earlier this offseason. Waiting only makes things harder, though with a player of his stature there will be a market the moment he comes available.

The one thing I cannot respect is being paralyzed by fear or indecision. Either get him signed or make the hard call.

"You wanna trade me? I'll just retire...." ~ AD

 

[den-the-coach]

If he wants $35m you trade him, sign Suh or trade for a solid DT if the DL depth chart feels light, and try to go win another one without him.

If the Rams knew he was outside their cost window they should have made the move earlier this offseason. Waiting only makes things harder, though with a player of his stature there will be a market the moment he comes available.

The one thing I cannot respect is being paralyzed by fear or indecision. Either get him signed or make the hard call.

I like this, I also trust the Rams to make the right decision. Hopefully, cooler heads will prevail, but if you love Pittsburgh so much (And I will never understand why) then trade him there and let him deal with Mitch Trubisky and small hands Pickett as the draft compensation plus the cap savings would be prudent IMHO.

 

[Jorgeh0605]

Pay the man. He literally was responsible for ending the last two games of the season, in the exact same way. He's the best player in the league right now, and by the time his next contract is up could become the best defensive player ever.