Report: Aaron Donald, Rams 'Remain on Verge' of Contract Worth $22M Per Season

Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is reportedly "on the verge" of becoming the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history at around $22 million per season.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the Rams are close to signing Donald to said deal and ending his contract holdout. Florio cautioned it isn't quite a done deal yet, though, "presumably because one or both sides is hoping to squeeze out one or more last-minute concessions."

Florio noted Donald is expected to receive up to $80 million in guaranteed money with the deal as well. That would be a significant development for the University of Pittsburgh product considering he held out in each of the last two seasons and has presumably been looking for this type of deal.

"We're working to come to a solution that gets Aaron Donald here as soon as possible and keeps Aaron Donald here for a long time," general manager Les Snead told Pro Football Talk.

The defensive tackle's current contract would pay him around $6.9 million for the 2018 season, the fifth-year option of his rookie deal.

His production suggests he is worth far more considering he was a Pro Bowler in each of his first four seasons in the league and counts the 2014 Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year and the 2017 Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year on his resume. Donald won the Defensive Player of the Year behind 11 sacks, five forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 14 games.

Donald is also just 27 years old and figures to be a building block for the foreseeable future in Los Angeles if and when he inks this deal.