After the Los Angeles Rams took home the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl LVI, they were met with immediate questions surrounding the future of the team. Sean McVay and Aaron Donald both had retirement rumors swirling, and the Rams’ free agency and draft pick situation was not to be desired.
However, McVay quickly shut down any thoughts of him retiring, committing to the Rams within weeks of the Super Bowl victory. Donald, meanwhile, hinted at the team’s Super Bowl parade that if they could run it back with as similar of a team as possible, he would gladly re-join.
And while there hasn’t been much in terms of movement on Donald’s contract, McVay revealed that the All-Pro defensive tackle will be returning to the Rams in 2022, according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic:
“Yes,” says Sean McVay, Aaron Donald has communicated to him that he will return. Next step is getting the contract done.
— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) March 29, 2022
McVay also spoke personally about Donald’s decision, joking that a retirement from Donald might have led to a retirement from him as well, according to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network:
Rams coach Sean McVay said that decision of Aaron Donald to not retire is such a 'major relief' added that team now has to figure out his contract. Joked that if Donald hadn't come back maybe he goes the television route #Rams @PFN365 pic.twitter.com/3jjk5xVH0B
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 29, 2022
So now that the uncertain part is out of the way, Donald and the Rams can focus on coming to a contract agreement. As was previously rumored, Donald is reportedly looking for a deal that would make him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.
The Rams absolutely have the means to make that happen, and after Donald’s dominance in Super Bowl LVI, there’s no reason to think it won’t. It’s possible that both sides are waiting for the roster to be fully built before restructuring Donald’s deal.
There are still some questions that need to be answered regarding free agents. Odell Beckham Jr. remains a free agent despite plenty of talk that he and the Rams were set on a reunion. Meanwhile, the Rams could be looking at All-Pro Bobby Wagner to replace the loss of Von Miller.
At this point, it’s only a matter of time before Donald signs his new deal with the Rams. It’s unclear if it will be for one more season or for multiple years, but Donald will be wearing the Rams’ blue and yellow in 2022 at the very least.
Rams let Robert Woods pick destination
One of the biggest cap casualties of the Rams’ offseason was Robert Woods, who was traded to the Tennessee Titans after L.A. signed Allen Robinson. While the trade was sad for many Rams fans, they can take solace in the fact that Woods was able to select his destination.
