"Best defensive player of all time" - NFL fans react to Ram's monster new contract for Aaron Donald
On June 6th the Los Angeles Rams locked up star defensive tackle Aaron Donald to a contract extension.
Donald is set to receive a $40 million raise from the Rams and will see $95 million in totality on his contract that runs through the 2024 season. Over the next two seasons, Donald will be guaranteed $65 million. His new deal is essentially a 3-year $95 million contract extension.
Update: Aaron Donald’s new deal with the #Rams is essentially for 3-years, $95M, says @ProFootballTalk
NFL fans took to social media to share their reactions to the big news with a typical variety of emotions regarding the contract.
This person thinks the superstar is the best defensive player of all time.
@RapSheet Best defensive player of all time
This Twitter user responded with a meme, saying this the defensive tackle walking into the building getting his money.
@RapSheet Aaron Donald going to collect that paycheck https://t.co/p3oyA3kpAj
One person asked how much money the Rams have in cap space.
@RapSheet HOW MUCH MONEY DO THEY HAVE
This Twitter user thinks Donald is the greatest player ever to step on the field.
@RapSheet Greatest player to touch a football field
This person thinks that cap-space is fake.
@RapSheet Daily reminder that cap space is fake
One New York Giants fan thinks Donald is overpaid.
@RapSheet Overpay asf
This user is wondering why they are low-balling Odell Beckham Jr. after giving Donald and Allen Robinson big deals.
@RapSheet They gave Allen Robinson and AD all that money but are still low balling Odell ?! Wouldn‘t have made to the superbowl without him
This fan wonders what the Rams will look like in the future.
@RapSheet Imagine what the rams will look like in the next 5-10 years 😂
Another Twitter user that questions how the Rams have so much money.
@RapSheet How do they have this much money?????
This Twitter user thinks Cooper Kupp will be gone.
@RapSheet Kupp gone
Aaron Donald has earned every penny of his new contract
During the offseason, the defensive tackle was thinking about possibly stepping away from the game and retiring. He spoke on the I Am Athlete podcast on the subject.
Here's what he said:
“For me, it’s about winning. I don’t want to play football if I can’t win anyway, so I feel like if I got a real opportunity to win another Super Bowl, then it makes sense to play."
He continued:
"But again, it’s still a business, and we got to handle the business side of things, and if that wasn’t to get handled then, you know, [it’s an] it-is-what-it-is type of situation.”
Luckily for Rams fans, they won't have to wonder whether or not the star will be retiring anymore.
In his career, the tackle has recorded a total of 98 sacks, 150 tackles for loss, 441 tackles, 23 forced fumbles, 6 fumble receoveries and 16 pass deflections. He's earned three Defensive Player of The Year Awards, eight Pro Bowls, seven All-Pro First Teams, and won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in his rookie season.
With this in mind, he is worth every penny and is now set to be the defensive leader and a potent force on the Rams defense for many years to come.
Los Angeles will enter the 2022 season with every intention of retaining the Super Bowl championship and with their defensive rock back on board, it will take a very good team to stop them.