Rams extend Brandin Cooks, but Aaron Donald remains on the outside looking in

By George Stockburger | Jul 17, 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 29: General Manager Les Snead of the Los Angeles Rams speaks onstage during the press conference to introduce Jared Goff, the Los Angeles Rams' first pick and first overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, on April 29, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

The Rams continue to ignore the elephant in the room with Aaron Donald

Three months after acquiring Brandin Cooks from the New England Patriots, the Los Angeles Rams announced Tuesday afternoon they’ve signed the wide receiver to a five-year extension.

The deal was a no-brainer for both sides after Cooks had been traded twice in the last 16 months between the Saints, Patriots, and Rams. Cooks gives third-year quarterback Jared Goff a legitimate number one receiver with elite speed, and having him long-term only means good things for the Rams offense.

Sitting on the outside looking in while the Rams make moves is defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who will holdout of training camp waiting for a new deal.

Aaron Donald waits as the Rams sign/extend other players pic.twitter.com/oFLGLHIMO1
— NFL Mocks (@NFLMocks) July 17, 2018

After playing on a rookie contract, Donald received the franchise tag worth $6,892,000, which makes him the 38th-highest paid defensive lineman in the NFL.

Donald has become a top-five player in the NFL with four Pro Bowls and three All-Pros in four seasons.

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Last year Donald took home the Defensive Player of the Year award after matching his career-high 11 sacks despite missing two games.

Los Angeles has obviously not ignored the situation with Donald, and life in some ways must move on regarding the team and corresponding moves. However, for Donald to see the organization sign free agent Ndamukong Suh and sign Cooks to a long-term deal must be disheartening at the least.

Yes, Donald wants to see the Rams succeed and he will be a part of that success this year. At the same time, he deserves to receive one of the largest contracts in NFL history and the Rams are spending money on players who weren’t with the organization last year.

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Los Angeles continues to improve, but they can’t go far without Donald anchoring the middle of their defense. It’s a superstar team right now with Cooks, Donald, Suh, Marcus Peters, Todd Gurley, and Aqib Talib among others, but they need to figure out the Donald situation sooner than later.