The Los Angeles Rams and defensive tackle Aaron Donald have agreed to a record 6-year, $135 million extension, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The deal, which includes $87 million in guaranteed, is the richest deal handed to a defensive player in NFL history. His average per year salary of $22.5 million eclipses previous title-holder Von Miller's mark of just over $19 million per year.

Donald's deal comes on the heels of record-breaking contracts for Odell Beckham Jr. and Aaron Rodgers, which were also completed this week.

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Rams News
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (8) sits on the field prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at SoFi Stadium.
Rams’ Jared Verse makes painful admission after Aaron Donald workoutMatty Breisch ·
Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Poona Ford (95) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
Rams’ offseason addition named ‘missing piece’ to defenseBenedetto Vitale ·
Rams head coach Sean McVay with Rams receiver Konata Mumpfield behind him
Rising Los Angeles Rams rookie turning heads in 2025 OTAsJaren Kawada ·
image thumbnail
Rams’ Puka Nacua drops ‘weird’ revelation about Cooper Kupp’s departureJulian Ojeda ·
Dec 3, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) enters the field before the game against the Cleveland Browns at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Aaron Donald challenges Rams’ Jared Verse after workout calloutMatty Breisch ·
Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl (3) during organized team activities at Rams Practice Facility.
Rams’ Kam Curl calls out Madden after getting roasted in trailerLorenzo J Reyna ·

Donald has held out all offseason as he awaited the massive deal that would make him the highest-paid defensive player in the league. But while there didn't appear to be much progress heading into August, they've made a lot of progress over the past few weeks as several reports came out that Donald and the Rams were closing in on a deal.

Donald has certainly earned his record-breaking contract. He has been one of the most dominant defensive players since he came into the league in 2014. He's played in 62 out of a possible 64 games, recording 39.0 sacks, 204 tackles, and several more hits, pressures, and hurries. He has made First-Team All-Pro three years in a row and is also the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

With his contract situation finally done and dusted, Donald can now rejoin a stacked Rams defense which features newcomers Ndamukong Suh as well as cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters to prepare for the start of the season. Donald will now be able to lead that group in the Rams' season opener against the Oakland Raiders on Monday Night Football.