The Rams playoff berth may be enough to bring Aaron Donald back

The Los Angeles Rams were unable to secure their first playoff win since 2005. Now, the team’s focus must shift to re-signing Aaron Donald.

The Los Angeles Rams were ultimately unsuccessful in their first playoff appearance in 13 years. The Atlanta Falcons bested the Los Angeles Rams 26-13, exploiting their inexperience in the process. Ultimately, the same offensive powerhouse that was the Rams throughout the season looked a shell of their former selves.

However, the Rams still ultimately exceeded everyone’s expectations in the process. Nobody — aside from some die-hard Ram fans, maybe — expected them to go 11-5 and make the playoffs. Heck, before the season, we predicted a 7-9 finish and that was us being generous.

All of that is the past, though. Now, the Rams have a new agenda to worry about. The long seven-month offseason has officially begun for LA. Their first focus? Bringing back the heart and soul of the defense, Aaron Donald.

2018 was the last year under Donald’s four-year contract that he signed after being drafted in 2014. Typically, a franchise player such as Donald would get his money’s worth and re-sign a long-term deal with the team.

This is not the case for the Rams. Donald and Los Angeles do not exactly have the best relationship or the most promising track record.

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Donald missed the first two games of the regular season while the two sides negotiated a contract extension; an extension they never came to an agreement on. Donald undoubtedly was not paid what he was worth in 2017, which could cause resentment and Donald ultimately leaving.

Sure, the Rams could always franchise tag the star defensive tackle, but that only hurts them in the long run. Sure, they will lock Donald down for one year and will pay him the money he is worth. However, the inability to extend Donald may only ensure his departure the following offseason.

For the Rams, they did the one thing this season that will help them in contract negotiations; they finally won. Donald has been through some dark, Jeff Fisher-led, times. However, 2017 was a complete change of narrative under Sean McVay — and more importantly — Wade Phillips.

Making the playoffs may have been the Rams only shot in extending Donald. If they must franchise tag him, a playoff berth next season may be their only hope.

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Luckily for LA, the team is still immensely talented and very young. The team should have no problem succeeding even more in the future. That is a blessing, as that success gives the Rams their only hope.

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