Aaron Donald’s contract was renegotiated by the Rams, making him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history; he now has a $65 million guarantee for the next two seasons; the deal would allow him to retire after the 2023 season or return in 2024 for an additional $30 million.
The Los Angeles Rams have renegotiated defenseman Aaron Donald’s contract, and the NFL Network and ESPN said the team will give him a $40 million raise and make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Donald, who openly considered retirement this offseason, now has $65 million guaranteed for the next two seasons.
The deal would allow Donald to retire after the 2023 season or return in 2024 with an additional $30 million guaranteed.
According to reports, Los Angeles did not renew Donald’s contract for the new year.
Donald, 31, originally signed a six-year, $135 million contract in August 2018 with three more years left on that contract.
During his illustrious career, Donald has received three Defensive Player of the Year awards, a record in NFL history. He was Rookie Defensive Player of the Year in 2014 after being drafted 13th overall by the Rams behind Pitt. In the following seven years, he was named to the All-Pro First Team seven times.
Donald has 98 sacks in his eight seasons in the NFL and hit 12.5 sacks in 2021.
In a recent podcast appearance, he said he “agrees” with the concept of retirement – that he’s been thinking about it long before the Rams won Super Bowl LVI – but that it “makes sense to play” if he can win a second Super Bowl. Bowl.
“But then again, it’s still a business,” he said. “We have to settle the business side of things, and if that doesn’t get settled, then, you know, that’s the type of situation. I’ll be fine anyway.”
