Aaron Donald is the best defensive player of his generation and should be paid as such. The Los Angeles Rams surely know this. If they don't, they run the risk of losing the greatest player in franchise history.
Some may scoff at the final statement, yet Donald has more Defensive Player of the Year trophies than Deacon Jones, more first-team All-Pro nods than Merlin Olsen and made arguably the biggest play in the biggest moment to capture the organization's second title of the Super Bowl era.
Donald is an all-time great. Because of his standing and the possibility of retirement, the defensive lineman holds significant leverage in negotiating a new deal despite three years remaining on his contract.