By Eric D. Williams
FOX Sports activities NFL Author
For Aaron Donald, the expertise of successful his first Tremendous Bowl earlier this 12 months sits atop the listing of his many accomplishments within the Nationwide Soccer League and serves as a driving power for him to return in 2022.
"When you’re truly in that second, it’s completely different," Donald stated throughout a latest look on former NFL receiver Brandon Marshall’s "I Am Athlete" podcast. "It’s exhausting to place it into phrases as a result of all that arduous work you place in through the years, every little thing you sacrificed to play this recreation, you lastly accomplished the mission. It’s simply completely different.
"You then get to have your loved ones, your children down there with you taking part in within the confetti. Each interview I used to be at, my children and my spouse had been with me. That was simply completely different. There’s no different feeling prefer it."
Donald is often a person of few phrases, however in an interview that went greater than an hour, he went on to say that he understands Tom Brady’s motivation for unretiring and returning to the sector after successful seven Tremendous Bowls.
However for Donald, it’s not only a matter of returning to the sector. The 31-year-old Pittsburgh native desires to be paid for who he's: the perfect defensive participant within the NFL — and perhaps ever.
Presently, Donald is ready to make $22.5 million in complete compensation in 2022, which makes him the sixth-highest paid defensive participant within the league. Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt sits atop that listing with an annual common wage of $28 million.
When Donald signed his six-year, $135 million contract 4 years in the past, he was the highest-paid defensive participant within the league. Nonetheless, with three years left on his deal, that’s not the case.
The Rams perceive the scenario and are prepared to redo Donald’s contract, in response to coach Sean McVay. Presently, Donald isn't attending organized staff actions at L.A.’s headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California.
"The dialogue has been good," McVay informed reporters final week. "He’s accomplished an ideal job of speaking. And he will get an opportunity to spend time along with his household proper now. So I be ok with that."
Donald stated after the Tremendous Bowl that he can be content material to retire. Nonetheless, through the staff’s Tremendous Bowl parade celebration, he stated he needed to run it again. Now, along with his illustration working with the Rams on a brand new deal, Donald as soon as once more reiterated his willingness to retire if the 2 sides can’t come to an settlement.
Who's retirement would harm Rams extra?
After the Tremendous Bowl, each Sean McVay and Aaron Donald hinted at retirement. At the moment, Nick Wright and Chris Broussard mentioned which retirement can be extra detrimental for the Rams in the long term.
Donald’s phrases don't seem to be a hole menace to verify a brand new contract is in place by the point the season begins.
"Me speaking about retirement, that was taking place method earlier than we received a Tremendous Bowl," Donald stated on the podcast. "I’ve been saying that since I acquired into the league, that I used to be going to play eight years after which be accomplished. That’s simply what I’ve been saying, after which it simply got here out, and now everyone thinks if he wins a Tremendous Bowl, now he’s going to retire.
"No, I’ve acquired teammates, coaches and household that find out about this: I’m going to play eight years, after which I’ll most likely be accomplished taking part in soccer. However successful a Tremendous Bowl, you type of get hooked on it, and I need to really feel that once more. I ain’t going to lie. That have is like none different. So if I used to be to play, it’s to win one other Tremendous Bowl. However on the finish of the day, it has to make sense to me and my household."
Donald stated his relationship with the Rams’ group is okay and that he’s going to McVay’s marriage ceremony to mannequin Veronika Khomyn this week.
"I’m completely happy," Donald stated. "I’m fantastic. The factor is, I don’t have to play soccer to be fantastic. I used to be blessed to play this recreation to make the cash I made. The accomplishments I made in eight years, I’m like, I’m full. If I can win one other Tremendous Bowl, that’s nice. But when not, I’m at peace."
That stated, Donald expects to be on the sector this season.
"It’s most likely going to get found out," he stated. "But when wasn’t to, I’m not going to be mad on the group. It’s fantastic. It’s cool."
Chosen No. 13 general within the 2014 NFL Draft by the Rams, Donald has been the perfect participant on the defensive aspect of the ball over the previous decade. He is a seven-time first-team All-Professional and three-time Defensive Participant of the Yr (2017, 2018 and 2020). He has probably the most sacks (98), tackles for loss (150) and quarterback hits (226) within the NFL through the common season over that interval. He’s the one participant within the league to document at the very least 11 sacks in every of the previous 5 seasons.
General, he has been the best rated defender by Professional Soccer Focus in every of the previous six seasons. And Donald helps Los Angeles shut out video games. His 32 fourth-quarter sacks since 2016 are probably the most within the NFL over that point.
After signing frontline gamers equivalent to linebacker Bobby Wagner and receiver Allen Robinson in free company, the Rams have a shot to defend their Tremendous Bowl crown. However they've to verify a wholesome and completely happy Donald is on the season-opening roster.
Donald confirmed in years previous a willingness to carry out if the cash wasn't proper, so the Rams perceive that he is not bluffing. And so they additionally know Donald is all the time figuring out and will not present as much as coaching camp out of form.
"It ain’t in regards to the cash," Donald stated. "It’s a enterprise, in order that’s what it's a must to see on the finish of the day. However for me, it’s about successful. I don’t need to play soccer if I can not win.
"I really feel like if I've an actual alternative to win one other Tremendous Bowl, then it is smart to play. However once more, it’s nonetheless a enterprise. We have now to deal with the enterprise aspect of issues. And if that wasn't to get dealt with, then [it's a] it's what it's sort of scenario. I’ll be fantastic regardless."
Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for greater than a decade, protecting the Los Angeles Rams for Sports activities Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma Information Tribune. Comply with him on Twitter at @eric_d_williams.
