The Los Angeles Rams traded away one of their core four pieces in Jalen Ramsey to the Miami Dolphins earlier this offseason.
According to an NFL insider, we also shouldn’t be stunned if the Rams trade another core player in star defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano offered surprises for all 32 NFL teams heading into the 2023 regular season. For the Rams, Graziano wrote to not “be surprised” in the event that “Donald’s name gets kicked around” leading up to the trade deadline:
“The Rams are rebuilding. They won’t admit it, but they are. They’re carrying almost $75 million in dead money on their salary cap this year as a result of big contracts they unloaded, and that’s by design. They want to take the whole hit this year so they aren’t burdened by any of it next year and can start adding again instead of subtracting…
I don’t know Donald’s mind, and I don’t know whether he’d want to play the final two months of this season for a contender if Los Angeles isn’t one. He might want to be able to say he played his whole career with the Rams, in which case, you can disregard this entire premise. But if he does want out in October, Donald could be the most exciting NFL trade deadline pickup of all time. And I’m just saying…Aaron Rodgers didn’t give the Jets $35 million in salary back just so they could sign Dalvin Cook. You wonder why teams clear cap space even when they don’t have an imminent acquisition? It’s in case something like this happens.”
After winning Super Bowl 56 last year, the Rams extended Donald, quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp. But last season was a huge disappointment for the Rams, who finished 5-12 on the year in a season derailed by injuries.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
Though Ramsey was traded to Miami, the Rams haven’t given any hints that they’re looking to trade any of their remaining core players. Of course, Donald, Kupp and/or Stafford could be shopped if they’re out of playoff contention leading up to the deadline.
Los Angeles hasn’t had back-to-back losing/non-playoff seasons under McVay. Their quest to bounce back begins on Sept. 10 with a road contest against the NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.
