Aaron Donald Says 'We're Going to See What Happens' with Rams Contract Extension

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is apparently taking a patient approach when it comes to contract extension negotiations. 

“All I can do is keep working, keeping myself in top shape and my agent’s going to handle that side of things,” Donald said on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Thursday. "I’m just working, just grinding, trying to get a little better. That’s it.”

Donald, 26, did not commit to attending training camp without a new deal in place. He said "we're going to see what happens" when asked if he would be there.

A Pro Bowler each of his first three season and first-team All-Pro the last two, Donald recorded 47 tackles and eight sacks in 2016. He's emerged as perhaps the best interior pass rusher in all of football and will undoubtedly get a massive contract extension at some point. The Rams are slated to pay Donald just $1.8 million in 2017, and they have picked up the fifth-year option in his contract.

Given the fact he's under team control for at least two years, there's understandably little urgency on the Rams' side to get things done right now.

Donald's next contract is going to eat up far more of their cap than the total they're going to pay him this season, regardless of structure. A new deal might be a little more feasible when Donald's cap hold rises in 2018, but odds are he's going to be the highest-paid defensive tackle in football when his new deal is inked.

Pro Football Focus graded him as by far the best interior lineman in football last season.