With the start of the 2017 NFL season around the corner, the Los Angeles Rams are still without All-Pro defensive end Aaron Donald. Donald has been absent for the majority of team activities this past offseason in search of a new long-term deal.
While there hasn’t been any word on the two sides nearing an agreement, general manager Les Snead says he has been trying to come up with ‘creative scenarios’ to get a deal done, according to Lindsey Thiry of the Los Angeles Times:
Snead said Donald was on pace to be a Hall of Famer and that they've tried to come up with "creative scenarios" to get a deal done.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) August 29, 2017
Donald’s absence this close to the regular season is alarming considering the other superstars around the league who have at least set a timetable for a return from their holdout. Not to mention, the season-ending injury to defensive tackle Dominique Easley leaves a huge gap on their defensive front.
It is tough to blame the Rams for treading carefully with Donald’s deal and preserving the salary cap for other key members of the team. However, one would think signing arguably the best defensive player in the league would be a no-brainer.
If Snead is unable to figure something out soon, Los Angeles may be without its best player Week 1 versus the equally as short-handed Indianapolis Colts.
