Defensive tackle Aaron Donald agreed to a new contract with the Los Angeles Rams on Friday, ending his second consecutive preseason holdout as the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.
ESPN and the NFL Network reported the new deal is worth $135 million over six years, with 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.
"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."
Donald was chosen for the Pro Bowl after each of his four NFL seasons. The 27-year-old Pitt product is the centerpiece of the Rams' defense and one of the NFL's most dominant linemen.
Donald was a key component of Los Angeles' extraordinary one-year turnaround under rookie coach Sean McVay in 2017. With Donald leading their defensive efforts under veteran coordinator Wade Phillips, the Rams won their division for the first time since 2003 and ended the franchise's streaks of 13 consecutive non-winning seasons and 12 straight non-playoff seasons.
Donald will team up with Rams newcomer Ndamukong Suh and veteran Michael Brockers on a potentially destructive defensive line. Donald has yet to work out alongside Suh; the five-time Pro Bowl selection joined the Rams in March.
Texans cut Lechler
The Houston Texans released veteran punter Shane Lechler just before what would have been his 19th NFL season, meaning the Texans will go with undrafted rookie Trevor Daniel while paring down toward the Saturday deadline for 53-man rosters.
Lechler, 42, was a fifth-round draft pick out of Texas A&M in 2000 and spent the first 13 years of his career with the Raiders before joining the Texans in 2013. He started 206 games for Oakland and never missed a game as a Texan, making all 80 starts in his five seasons with the team.
