Defensive tackle Aaron Donald prevailed, earning a contract restructuring from the Los Angeles Rams that will make him the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback player.
That’s what the NFL Network reported on Monday. Donald gets $40 million more to his contract, which is due to end at the end of the 2024 season. He will thus receive $95 million for the next three campaigns. Never before has a player other than a quarterback made $30 million or more a year.
Donald had expressed his dissatisfaction at the end of May, indicating that he was going to retire if he did not obtain an improvement in his contract. “I don’t need to play football to feel good,” the 31-year-old told the “I Am Athlete” podcast.
Donald won his first Super Bowl this winter with the Rams. He was invited to the Pro Bowl eight times and was named Defensive Player of the Year three times.