[majik]

I'm thinking with the nature of football, with guaranteed contracts you will see most contracts for 3 years or less with maybe the exception of a 4 year deal for a QB. No more ridiculous signing and rosters bonuses once a contract is truly a contract and guaranteed.

[Neil039]

And that is exactly my point. In the NFL, teams currently have their cake and can eat it too and the players get the shaft.

If Donald signs a 6-year deal, he suffers a devastating injury in Year 3, the team can cut him and void years 4-6 of the deal. All Donald is asking for with the opt-out is the same thing that teams enjoy.

A player like Donald holding out for this ability to opt-out is huge for the players, since teams already can opt-out of any contract with a player. Donald may be the NFL's Curt Flood with his situation, fighting for the ability of players to not be locked into a one-way contract with their team. This one-way contract situation is similar to the old reserve clause that baseball had prior to the 70's in the sense that the team can opt-out of a deal while the player cannot. This is one of the major reasons why I think unless things change we will see a players strike in 2021.

Majik, I respectfully disagree with you on part of this. Donald does deserve a pay raise. Along with that pay raise should be his long term commitment to the Rams. He wants 60Mil plus in guaranteed money along with the option to leave early on a contract that essentially should garner his services for the duration. It's a repeat of what's happening now. He's holding the team, fans and public hostage for his services.

It kills me to write this, the Patriots have it right. They don't keep demanding players. Brady is 20th in QB salaries this season, shouldn't he be the highest paid player in the league? Yes, but the reality is you can't field a team with a bunch of highly paid players. They get that, Brady gets that, and the rest of the players get that.

That's the new reality for NFL Teams. Sadly, only a few get it. The Rams are on the boat sinking with over priced players. As this goes on I personally see Donald as I see Dickerson. Replaceable, not for his talents but for the growth of the team.

[snackdaddy]

It kills me to write this, the Patriots have it right. They don't keep demanding players. Brady is 20th in QB salaries this season, shouldn't he be the highest paid player in the league? Yes, but the reality is you can't field a team with a bunch of highly paid players. They get that, Brady gets that, and the rest of the players get that.

Yeah, the Patriots don't typically give in to a player's demands. I wonder how they would handle Donald's situation? My guess is they would actively be shopping him. Then again, they can afford to have that attitude when they have a great QB and offense. All they need is to field an adequate defense.

[majik]

If the long term committment went both ways I would agree on the point of bumping up next year's money.

Why should a player commit to sign for 6 years at a salary if nothing is guaranteed other than the salary he is looking for over the first 2 or 3 years? It a one-way team opt-out.

And if the Rams are willing to guarantee close to $60M like Suh got on his deal with Miami then Donald will get the $20M over the first three years annually then why insist on a 6-year deal? They will pay $60M over the first three years anyway whether years 4-6 are honored by the Rams or he gets cut. Heck in years 4-6 he might still be good, but not worth the at least $14M salary the six-year deal will have him structured at.

[azramsfan93]

I can see it both ways. AD deserves a raise. But if he's being fair, he's got to give them years for the money. I can see the team not wanting an opt out after year 3. That sounds like having the cake and eating it too. Might as well just let him walk tomorrow and save a boatload of money, if you think that's a good deal. Two things are reality. He deserves more money. They deserve his services for a good chunk of time if they give him the money.

If there is an opt out then there can be no up front money because of the cap hit. Would all the signing bonus have to be in the cap during the first 3 years? Or would it accelerate into year 4 as dead money if he opts out?

I assume that the deal could be $120M over 6 years paid out at $20M per year with an opt out for either side after 3 years - meaning only the first 3 years are guaranteed.

Is that what he wants? I doubt it.

[azramsfan93]

If the long term committment went both ways I would agree on the point of bumping up next year's money.

It would have to be structured as salary and not signing bonus, or you run the risk of dead cap if he opts out.

Why should a player commit to sign for 6 years at a salary if nothing is guaranteed other than the salary he is looking for over the first 2 or 3 years? It a one-way team opt-out.

Again, the Rams want a 6 year deal with no opt out clause. They cannot accept a structure that will significantly hurt their cap If he opts out.

If he forgets about this clause then I am sure he will get a big signing bonus and a total package making him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.

It is AD that wants his cake to eat it too.

[Elvis]

If Donald does want an opt out, that would mean a lot less guaranteed money, i would think...

[dieterbrock]

I'm amazed that we haven't seen anything concrete in the way of what each side is looking for. All just assumptions and guesses.

[Hacksaw]

If we start seeing releases coming from either of the camps, especially pointing fingers, I will take that as a bad sign. Professional decorum is still in play so that's a good sign.
I'm hoping for a presser right after the Green Bay game announcing the 2 sides plan of attack.

It is AD that wants his cake to eat it too.

Have to agree.

[WaddyWasWideOpen]

This is the portion of Pro FB that I don't miss. If the players don't like the league or the CBA, they can go play someplace else or start their own pro league. AD has a contact and should honor it. Is he worth more? Sure. But no one ever knows what any draft pick will become. These players are so impatient its a joke. For the Rams to have any chance at a real good year, they need AD. I don't expect the Rams to be in the SB, but it would be nice to see the team progress as they work towards Hollywood Park Era.