Rams Trade of Aaron Donald to Lions Proposed by ESPN; The $41 Million Problem

Our look at a trade proposal pushed by ESPN that would send superstar defensive tackle Aaron Donald to the Motor City in exchange for a pair of premium picks.

The Detroit Lions are trying to build up. Are the Los Angeles Rams trying to tear down? That would seem to be the combined logic - such as it is - in a trade proposal pushed by ESPN that would send superstar defensive tackle Aaron Donald to the Motor City in exchange for a pair of premium picks.

A suggested trade package via at ESPN would see the Lions receiving Donald in exchange for a first- and a second-round pick in this week's 2023 NFL Draft. So L.A. gets from Detroit (which also happens to own pick No. 6) Nos. 18 and 25 overall.

Part of the logic from the Detroit side? The Lions have a cupboard full of picks. Oh, and they would be adding the player who might be the greatest Ram of all-time. ... and a player who might be the best defensive weapon in football.

And the logic from the Rams side? This would have to fold into the idea of the Rams in reset "Pressing the Brakes'' mode, as general manager Les Snead has acknowledged is the mindset for a franchise that went to two Super Bowls in five years and must now take a breath to get their salary cap in order.

Unfortunately, though, by our calculations, this trade, while it does fortify the Rams' draft options, does nothing to satisfy the cap concerns. Los Angeles, in such a deal, would be stuck with $41 million in dead money. Now, there are some ways to massage around some of that; there's also some cap savings and there's also the idea of Detroit picking up some of the tab.

But to us, "reset'' doesn't mean "give up.'' Aaron Donald in another uniform would be a painful enough sight for Rams fans. But forfeiting a season while also taking a kick in the crotch cap-wise is no win for L.A.

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