Los Angeles Rams rumors: Where’s the Donald?
The vast majority of Los Angeles Rams players reported to training camp on Friday. However, there was one very noticeable absence.
Quite frankly, there haven’t been a lot of positives when it comes to the Los Angeles Rams over the last decade or so. It’s a franchise that hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2004 and hasn’t posted a winning season since ’03.
But one thing general manager Les Snead and the organization got right was spending the 13th overall selection on University of Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Teamed with fellow former first-rounders Michael Brockers and ends Chris Long and Robert Quinn for two seasons, the franchise’s defensive front was as good as it got in the league. Donald would earn NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in ’14.
In his first three seasons, the star defender has established himself as the best defensive tackle in the league. He’s not missed a game and has totaled 28 sacks and six forced fumbles in 48 contests. He enters his fourth NFL season knowing that in April, the Rams picked up the fifth-year option on his contract.
However, it’s that original deal that’s the issue. Back in ’14, Donald signed a four-year, $10,136,500 contract (via Spotrac). It’s safe to say he’s outplayed those numbers and it’s not even close.
So when it came to reporting to training camp on Friday, Aaron Donald was a no-show, as reported by ESPN. And as Alden Gonzalez reported one day earlier, Snead stated that getting a new deal done is “still a priority.”
“These are delicate situations,” the team executive explained to Gonzalez. “I think you have to respect Aaron and his side, and that business move. It’s really at that point all about respect. Yes, we’d love for him to be here, hope he’s here, would help if he’s here. But if he decides not to, then it’s a thing you have to respect.”
So where does the team go from here? And just how long will the three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro remain absent? It’s hard to tell. But one thing to keep in mind is that after three years of playing the 4-3 defense, the defense is now under the command of Wade Phillips. That means a new system and new responsibilities for Donald and the rest of this unit.
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The Los Angeles Rams enter the 2017 season riding a seven-game losing streak. At the moment, they’re missing one of the best players in the league regardless of position. It’s certainly not the way to kick off training camp. Then again, it would be somewhat surprising if this was a long-term issue.