The 2017 NFL season should be considered a success for the Los Angeles Rams as they wrapped up the year with an 11-5 record and the NFC West division title. Despite falling to the Atlanta Falcons in the Wild Card round of the 2017 NFL playoffs, there is still plenty of optimism about the Rams’ future.
However, now that they have been eliminated from the playoffs, Los Angeles’ front office has several questions to address regarding contract situations. The most pivotal one should be Aaron Donald as he has clearly demonstrated he is arguably the best defensive player in the NFL.
According to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN, Donald is looking to avoid another contract holdout:
“Nah,” he said, smiling. “I ain’t going to do it again. Well, I don’t know. I hope I don’t have to do it again.”
General manager Les Snead admitted that signing Donald to an extension was a priority for the team, but so far there has been no traction on an agreement. The defensive tackle did not join the Rams for team activities until right before the 2017 NFL campaign.
Donald is the catalyst for the Rams’ defense and keeping him long term in Los Angeles should be the front office’s first offseason move. It will be interesting to see how the situation plays out as Los Angeles’ offseason goes on.