Donald holdout ends with record deal
Aaron Donald’s two-year quest to become the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player finally ended in success yesterday morning.
And just a few minutes after signing his deal, Donald was at work on the Los Angeles Rams’ practice fields for the first time in months, determined to keep doing the same things that made him so very wealthy.
The All-Pro defensive tackle agreed to a six-year, $135 million deal, ending his second consecutive preseason holdout with a landmark commitment from the Rams.
“I feel good right now,” Donald said. “To be back out here playing football again, that’s what it is all about. Long process and a long wait. It was tough. Definitely it was tough for me, having a love for the game, having to push that to the side and handle the business side.”
The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year is signed through 2024, and the Rams’ defense can rest solidly on its cornerstone as Los Angeles attempts to capitalize on last season’s success with a Super Bowl run.
ESPN and the NFL Network reported the new deal includes a $40 million signing bonus and $87 million guaranteed. Donald is already under contract this season for $6.89 million in the final year of his rookie deal.
“It’s a blessing,” Donald said of his new deal, which surpasses Von Miller’s contract in Denver as the new benchmark for defenders. “Growing up thinking about playing in the NFL, you never think that big, or expect something like that. But my dad told me since Day 1, hard work pays off. I’m going to continue to work nonstop.”
After skipping the Rams’ entire offseason program and training camp, Donald started work right away, even showing up at the Rams’ training complex to sign his contract earlier than scheduled. When he joined practice later, the Rams finally got to see Donald alongside newcomer Ndamukong Suh and veteran Michael Brockers on their potentially destructive defensive line.
49ers add lineman
The San Francisco 49ers have acquired offensive lineman Shon Coleman from the Cleveland Browns for a 2019 seventhround draft pick.
The Niners were seeking more depth on the offensive line. Coleman was originally a third-round pick by the Browns in 2016. He started 16 games at right tackle last season.
Lucas goes to Chiefs
Reserve defensive back Jordan Lucas has been traded by the Miami Dolphins to the Kansas City Chiefs for an undisclosed draft pick. Lucas, a thirdyear pro, played mostly on special teams for Miami. He was a sixth-round draft pick in 2016.
Lucas was listed as a third-team safety on the Dolphins’ depth chart during training camp.
Earlier, the Chiefs got help at cornerback and unloaded some of their surplus of talented offensive lineman via a deal with the Dallas Cowboys.
The Chiefs sent backup offensive lineman Parker Ehinger, who had lost his starting job in camp, to the Cowboys for cornerback Charvarius Ward.
Texans cut punter
The Houston Texans released veteran punter Shane Lechler just before what would have been his 19th NFL season. Lechler was let go after the Texans decided to go with undrafted rookie Trevor Daniel. The 42-yearold Lechler spent the first 13 years of his career with the Raiders before joining the Texans in 2013.