It didn't take long for T.J. Watt to be supplanted as the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.
The Rams restructured Aaron Donald's current contract, giving him a $40 million raise, according to a report by ESPN. Now, the former Pitt Panthers star can earn $95 million over the next three years.
The deal includes $65 million in guaranteed money over the first two years. Donald, who contemplated retirement after winning Super Bowl LVI with the Rams, has the option to either retire or return for the 2024 season for an additional $30 million guaranteed.
Donald passed his physical and signed the deal Monday.
"I'm locked back in," Donald said on Rams social media. "Let's go get us another ring."
From the man himself.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) June 6, 2022
🗣@AaronDonald97 pic.twitter.com/0tTyd6bVcb
Donald, 31, is a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and has racked up 98 sacks over his eight-year NFL career. He is one of three players -- alongside Lawrence Taylor and Derrick Thomas -- to earn a trip to the Pro Bowl in each of their first eight seasons since the 1970 merger.
Though Watt deserved every dollar of his four-year, $112 million contract, the Rams obviously felt since Donald has sacked so many quarterbacks, he should be paid like one.