If Sean McVay leaves, should the Rams be worried that Aaron Donald will do the same?

The Los Angeles Rams gave Sean McVay a contract extension after profitable Tremendous Bowl LVI and stored him within the group by way of the 2026 season. However only one yr after the deal, McVay’s future in Los Angeles is already unsure.

Adam Schefter reported on Saturday night Unsure if he’ll return as head coach in 2023, he wants a while after the season is over and considers what’s subsequent. That is troubling information for the Rams, who till this season have had nothing however success underneath McVay. It is much more worrying when you concentrate on what Aaron Donald said at training camp in July:.

“Under no circumstances. Under no circumstances,” Donald stated when requested if he’d be in coaching camp if McVay retires. I advised. So long as he is right here and I can nonetheless play at a excessive stage, I will be right here. When he is gone and all is alleged and carried out, I am going to most likely dangle up then too.

Donald has spoken a number of instances about how a lot he beloved enjoying for McVay and the impact it had on him, hoping to complete his profession with McVay as head coach. This quote from final yr is as clear as any instance.

Like McVay, Donald endured a tricky 2022 season. He missed six video games on account of an ankle damage, and for the primary time in his profession he missed a single recreation on account of damage. Donald was prolific on the court docket, recording 5 sacks and 49 steals, but it surely wasn’t the award-winning season we’re used to seeing from him.

Donald thought-about retiring after the Rams received the Tremendous Bowl final yr and even despatched the staff a retirement letter that was by no means submitted to the NFL. He signed a three-year, $95 million cope with the Rams within the low season, which ultimately bought him again for an additional season.

Of the $95 million Donald obtained, $65 million was absolutely secured within the first two years, leaving him the choice to probably return for the 2024 season and earn one other $30 million. Donald stated in August that he “presently has a two-year dedication” as a result of he is aware of how his contract is structured. However that will not cease him from retiring after this season and strolling away from an extra $18.5 million.

On the time of signing, $46.5 million was assured, of which $15 million will probably be paid in March, the second day of the 2023 league yr. This expects one other $18.5 million to be paid out of the $65 million assured.

His $13.5 million wage and $5 million 2024 squad bonus are assured on the third day of the 2023 league yr. So if McVay walks out and Donald retires earlier than then, he will lose $18.5 million. It is some huge cash, but when Donald sees a remake coming with out McVay on the helm, he would possibly be ok with strolling away.

Ideally, McVay will return, and he and Donald – together with Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp – will get one final run in 2023 earlier than the group probably disbands. Nonetheless, McVay is the important thing to all the pieces, and his unsure future is the primary domino to be knocked down.