Best player of the Los Angeles Rams, Aaron Donald, ended his holdout on Saturday. He reported to the Rams' facility and passed his physical. Donald refused to be with the team this preseason in protest of his contract. He demanded a raise after being named an All-Pro last two seasons and a Pro Bowler each of his first three seasons. He was the 13th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft and is one of the best defensive players in the league. This news was first reported by Pro Football Talk.
Aaron Donald will not play in the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts
Aaron Donald has passed his physical, but it is reported he won't play on Sunday when the Rams face the Colts. It is doubtful if he will even play in the next couple of weeks. Los Angeles Rams under new coordinator Wade Philips will play in a 3-4 defense and they are eager to plug Donald into it as soon as possible. Donald did stay active and trained the entire time back home in Pittsburgh, but will need a few weeks to get back in game shape, according to his teammates. Los Angeles Rams' coach Sean McVay has said Donald will play whenever he is able to contribute, even if he doesn't play all the snaps.
Donald's contract demands
If he didn't report to the Rams, Donald would have lost over $106,000 a week, he would have to forfeit $711,000 part of his signing bonus. Rams agreed to waive $1.48 million of fines they could have imposed on Donald for missing training camp. Under his rookie deal, Donald will make $1.8 million this year and $6.9 million next year.
The Rams seem to be trying to stay on good terms with Donald. That is not enough money for one of the best players in the game today and it has not been reported if the Rams agreed to give him a raise.
Aaron Donald is seeking a deal that would make him the highest-paid defensive player in the game, but his agents and the Rams have been far apart on a new contract.
He recorded 28 sacks in first three season of his career and established himself both as an elite pass-rusher and a run-stopper. The Rams are starting a new chapter under Sean McVay and they really can't afford to lose an elite talent like Donald. They host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday and are looking to start the season with a win. Tenzel Smart, who was picked in the sixth round of 2017 NFL draft out of Tulane, will start in Donald's place against the Colts. The Rams finished the 2016 NFL season with a 4-12 record under Jeff Fisher and are looking to turn things around this season.
