Aaron Donald wants a new contract.
The Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle has spent most of his career as probably the best football player. His current treatment does not pay him as such. Armed with a Super Bowl ring and all the personal praise an NFL defender can get, Donald is saying it’s okay to retire at 31 if he and the Rams don’t come to an agreement.
The talk began before the Super Bowl and aired Monday on the “I am Athlete” podcast with retired NFL players Brandon Marshall and Pacman Jones. According to a ProFootball Talk transcript, Donald repeated four times during his appearance that he is “at peace” with his NFL career. But it seems like it’s a game to keep playing while the money is right.
“It’s not about the money,” Donald told PFT before mentioning the “business” repeatedly. “But it’s a business at the end of the day. That’s what you have to see.
“For me, it’s about winning. I don’t want to play football if I can’t win anyway, so I have a feeling that if I have a real chance of winning another Super Bowl, then it makes sense to play. But again, “It’s still a business. We have to handle the business side of things, and if that doesn’t have to be handled then, you know, that’s the kind of situation. I’ll be fine no matter what.”
So it looks like it’s about winning for Donald. And business. That everything makes sense.
Everything else is sauce for Aaron Donald’s football career. It is understandable that he would like to have more. (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
Where is the status of Donald’s contract
Donald has three years left for the six-year, $ 135 million deal he signed in 2018 and has since surpassed it as the market has moved in his favor. It also has an important influence because it could certainly afford to retire without hesitation.
While it may be a bargaining tactic, the fact that he could leave with a Super Bowl ring, seven All-Pro nominations, three Defensive Player of the Year trophies and a first-round ticket to the World Cup The fame of Professional Football in his pocket is convincing. His $ 97 million in career football earnings certainly helps his case.
The story goes on
But he would certainly like to earn more, which in this case probably means exceeding the $ 28 million that TJ Watt plans to earn annually as the highest paid defender in football. Competing for another Super Bowl would sweeten the deal.
But if it doesn’t happen, Donald will be fine. Just ask him.
“I don’t need to play football to be okay,” Donald continued. “I’m fine. I was lucky enough to play this game, to win the money I won. The successes I achieved in eight years are like: I’m complete. If I can win another one, it’s great. But if not, I’m at peace. “