After the Los Angeles Rams gained the Tremendous Bowl, conversations relating to the franchise's subsequent large strikes surfaced somewhat rapidly.
The way forward for star defensive deal with Aaron Donald's and coach Sean McVay's careers have been briefly in query, amid murmurs that one or the opposite may abruptly retire.
They've each returned – Donald with a brand new contract and McVay in line for one – with hopes to run it again, however there was a risk that L.A. would have neither on its sideline for the 2022 season. Donald instructed NFL.com that he wasn't prepared to play for an additional head coach.
"Under no circumstances. Under no circumstances," Donald mentioned. "If Sean ain't right here — I instructed Sean when he first received right here. We got here up with some issues early, and I first instructed him so long as he is the top coach right here, I need to proceed to construct my legacy with him. So long as he is right here, and I received the power to nonetheless play at a excessive degree, I'll be right here. When he is gone, and it is all mentioned and finished, that most likely shall be once I'm hanging it up, too."
Donald's retirement would have made extra sense than McVay's, contemplating the 31-year-old defensive stalwart is coming off his eighth season and seventh-straight All-Professional marketing campaign. As a substitute, Donald obtained a historic extension, the place he'll roughly double his yearly wage in 2022, double it once more in 2023, and get a $40 million elevate over three years.
Donald had loads of causes to need to return to the Rams. He and McVay have labored collectively since 2017, carrying out unbelievable feats as a coach/participant tandem. Regardless of already being thought-about a star, Donald took his recreation to new heights below McVay, profitable three Defensive Participant of the 12 months awards in a four-year span (2017, 2018, 2020).
He has 98 sacks in his profession, probably the most for a defensive deal with in his first eight seasons in NFL historical past.
The one important factor Donald did not accomplish coming into the 2021 season was win a Tremendous Bowl, and now he has that below his belt. However as his efficiency has confirmed through the years, Donald is not one to relaxation on his laurels.
"It is all the time going to be motivation to do the whole lot you possibly can to get again (to the Tremendous Bowl)," Donald mentioned. "That is the final word purpose. That is what you're employed for. While you're grinding and out right here working proper now, that is at the back of your thoughts. To attempt to do the whole lot you possibly can to have a fantastic season and attempt to be the final workforce standing."
