Rams' Aaron Donald Ends Holdout, Signs 6-Year, $135M Deal
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA/AP) -- All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald has agreed to a massive new contract with the Los Angeles Rams, ending his second consecutive preseason holdout as the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.
The Rams on Friday announced a new six-year deal through 2024 for Donald, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Donald is already under contract this season for $6.89 million.
ESPN and the NFL Network reported the new deal is worth $135 million over six years, with a $40 million signing bonus and $87 million guaranteed.
Now the only players in the NFL who earn more than Donald on a total dollar value, average annual value, or guaranteed money basis are star quarterbacks like Matt Ryan and Jimmy Garoppolo.
#LARams + @aarondonald97 agree to terms on a six-year extension.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 31, 2018
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Donald was chosen for the Pro Bowl after each of his four NFL seasons. The 27-year-old Pitt product is the centerpiece of the Rams' defense and one of the NFL's most dominant linemen.
(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)