Heading into the offseason, one of the biggest priorities for the Los Angeles Rams will be working out a new long-term deal for star defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

The 26-year-old is set to enter the final year of his rookie deal, which has heightened the push to get him under a lucrative deal. According to Alex Marvez of Sporting News, general manager Les Snead stated earlier this week that the Rams are well aware that Donald will command a significant part of their payroll.

“Every year the market changes based on last year’s (free-agent) crop signing and is there a new highest-paid player,” Snead said. “We’ll have to manage that. Also, every year we have more UFAs and decisions to make.

“But Aaron is always going to be a big part of that puzzle. We’ll always keep room in the budget for Aaron Donald and work around him.”

Los Angeles is projected to have $45 million in salary cap space this upcoming offseason with several key players on both sides of the ball set to become free agents. This includes safety LaMarcus Joyner, wide receiver Sammy Watkins, and cornerback Trumaine Johnson. The Rams will likely shift their immediate attention first to locking up each of these players to a new deal.

This should be the case due to Donald still being under contract for one more season while others are going to hit the open market. That said, Los Angeles shouldn't let this situation linger on as the four-time Pro Bowler could lean toward avoid signing a new deal before his rookie contract expires in 2019.

Donald has been arguably the best defensive player in the league over the last couple of years, which helps him command a salary as the highest-paid player at his position. He is coming off a campaign where he led the team with 11.0 sacks, pushing his career total to 39, which is the most by a defensive tackle in Rams history.

In his first four seasons, he has also earned three First-Team All-Pro selections and was once the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.