Los Angeles Rams Can't Afford to Not Extend Aaron Donald

Donald is the best defensive player of his generation and should be paid. The Los Angeles Rams are aware of this. They risk losing the greatest player in franchise history if they don't.

Donald has more Defensive Player of the Year awards than any other player, more first-team All-Pro awards than any other player, and made arguably the biggest play in the biggest moment to capture the organization's second title of the Super Bowl era.

Donald is a great person. Because of his standing and the possibility of retirement, the defensive lineman holds significant leverage in negotiating a new deal.

Over the last year, the market has changed. If the Rams can't hold on to their current agreement, they will lose Donald.

Jeremy Fowler reported that the retirement buzz around Donald was always real. Retirement can still go down if it is not met. Adding years to an already existing three-year pact takes Donald well into his mid 30s, and who knows if he wants to play that long. That is the best way to stretch out the money for cap purposes.

The Pro Bowl selection turned 31 this week. Donald will probably sign the next deal as his last.

He should be looking to become the game's highest-paid defender, like he was when he first signed his six-year, $135 million deal. He held the designation for one day because the Oakland Raiders traded Mack to the Chicago Bears and signed him to a contract that included a higher total value, a greater average annual salary and more guaranteed money.

Since that point, the Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Clippers, Joey Bosa, and T.J. Watt have all surpassed both of their predecessors. Both of them met or exceeded their guarantees.

Even without Donald reentering the market, those numbers should continue to grow. Nick Bosa and the San Francisco 49ers entered the window to negotiate their first contract extensions.

edge-rushers are getting paid at the same level as Donald. The defensive tackles and corners are the same.

Donald Simmons is also an interior defender. Donald's average annual salary is only 1.5 million dollars less than that of DeForest Buckner, who recently signed an extension with the Indianapolis Colts. Within the last month, the market exploded. The Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers are both worth $21 million, while Donald is worth $22.5 million.

Donald has only $14.3 million in cash flow for the year. He will be the 10th-highest paid interior defender in cash spent, according to Over the Cap. Donald has not ranked among the top three at his position since he signed the deal four years ago.

It would be wise for the Rams to redo his current deal because he will enter the range in 24 years.

Donald is worth a deal with an average salary of $30 million or more to once again become the highest-paid defender, considering all of those factors and how the NFL financial landscape continues to change. The first non-quarterback to reach the number was Tyreek Hill after the Miami Dolphins completed a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs for the wide receiver.

Donald is the most dominant player in the league, even in a pass-first league.

The value of the defensive lineman is unquestioned. According to Pro Football Focus, no one else is even close to his production since the start of the season. Donald has made 28 tackles for loss or no gain over the last two seasons, more than any other player. He has been the highest-graded defender in the league for six straight seasons. His play hasn't shown any regression.

Donald agreed to play a critical play for the Rams during the Super Bowl.

He had seven pressures and two sacks. One of those moments could not have come at a better time. Donald ended the game when his speed off the snap and ease of beating left guard allowed him to get to the quarterback and make him throw the ball away.

Donald solidified his legacy at that time.

A true war daddy must be accounted for at all times. He is a dominant run defender and can collapse the pocket. Donald is in the conversation with Lawrence Taylor and Reggie White as the greatest of all time, because he changes the complexion of a game and how an opposing offense must game-plan.

The Rams don't seem concerned about losing Donald in the short term. At the owners meetings in March, Sean McVay told reporters that Donald's decision not to retire proved to be a major relief.

We chatted with his representation, and we are trying to come up with a win-win solution to reward him, but still try to compete as a team at the highest level.

I know that he would like to be back, and he would definitely like to continue to do special things as a team.