The Rams and 2017 AP Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald have agreed to terms on a six-year contract extension, locking him in with Los Angeles through the 2024 season.
Since he entered the league as the No. 13 overall pick in the 2014 draft, Donald has been one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL. He was named the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year after setting a new franchise rookie record with 9.0 sacks that season, also recording a pair of forced fumbles and 18 tackles for loss.
Donald has only improved since his rookie year, earning his first AP Defensive Player of the Year award for his outstanding 2017. Though Donald played only 14 games, he tallied 11.0 sacks, a career-high five forced fumbles, and led the league with 91 quarterback pressures according to Pro Football Focus.
In all, Donald has recorded 39.0 sacks in his first four years as a pro — leading all interior linemen in that category since 2014.
Back in college, Donald earned the the Bronco Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Trophy, Outland Trophy, and Rotary Lombardi Award after his senior season at Pitt. He recorded 11.0 sacks and 28.5 tackles for loss in that 2013 season.
Donald agreeing to an extension is the first step in his return to the club — just in time for the season opener on Sept. 10 against Oakland. Head coach Sean McVay has said the ideal timeline for Donald to play Week 1 was to have him report by the end of the week. With that coming to pass, the Rams' defense will feature a dynamic attack up front led by Donald, Ndamukong Suh, and Michael Brockers.
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