Aaron Donald is, by pretty much all accounts, one of the 10 most-dominant defensive players in NFL history. Perhaps even top five. But his time in Los Angeles could be coming to an end, perhaps before his contract expires. 

Only six teams have worse Super Bowl odds than the Rams, who last year won just five games. The Rams were hampered by injuries while also paying up for going all-in on winning the Super Bowl two seasons ago. 

Donald has two years left on his contract. Even at age 32 and at a massive contract, the defensive tackle could make all the difference for a contending team. 

A Donald trade is not out of the realm of possibilities when you consider the following: The Rams could use the haul of draft picks Donald would fetch. Meanwhile, there’s a chance that the 32-year-old Donald looks around at what’s happening and decides he doesn’t want to be part of a rebuild.

But something to make of note is Donald has a no-trade clause, which means he’s only going to contenders in the event of a trade. With that in mind, Bookies.com veteran oddsmaker Adam Thompson has used his resources of NFL contacts developed over 20 years covering the league to create his hypothetical NFL futures odds on Donald’s next stop after the Rams. 

Aaron Donald Next Team Odds

Odds are for entertainment purposes only and do not reflect odds that may be available on legal betting apps. Odds will not add up to 100% probability because they are meant to mimic individual wagers placed at a sportsbook.

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Realistic Suitors For Aaron Donald

Donald is as dominant a defensive player as there’s been since Reggie White terrorized QBs in the 80s and 90s. In his first eight seasons in the NFL, Donald won four AP Defensive Player of the Year awards, and never finished outside the top five in voting. He was First-Team All-Pro on seven occasions and made the Pro Bowl all eight years. 

Last season was a different story. Donald flirted with retirement prior to the year but returned to the Rams. He suited up a career-low 11 games due to injury and managed only five sacks. 

Still, few question Donald still has “it” and many teams would love to acquire “it” – if not before the season, perhaps closer to the trade deadline for a run at postseason success. 

The first question is cost. Only three teams have the available cap space, and only one team has ample cap space. 

The Indianapolis Colts are a ridiculous $72 million under the cap. No other team has more than $31.6 million in space. Indy could acquire Donald and make no adjacent contract maneuvers. 

Unfortunately – or fortunately, how you look at it – defensive tackle is one of the Colts’ top strengths. Donald is an upgrade on any team, but Indy could better use that money elsewhere. 

The No. 2 team in cap space could absolutely use Donald. The Chicago Bears had the worst D-line in football last year, ranking dead-last in QB pressures and sacks without sending blitzers. They added a pile of d-linemen in free agency and the draft, but none of them are close to Donald. If the Bears seek major improvement this season, Donald would be a huge upgrade. 

The Arizona Cardinals are the third team who can afford Donald, but the Cards, like the Rams, appear to be in rebuild mode. 

There are Super Bowl contenders who are close enough to the budget line that adding Donald either now or at the trade deadline could work, and make all the difference.

As we mentioned at the top, Donald owns a no-trade clause, so any move would require his approval. That likely limits the chances of quasi-contenders such as the Colts and Bears. 

Jerry Jones has waited a very long time for the Dallas Cowboys to get back to a level of championship contention. He’s still waiting, but the pieces are in place for a big run, and they rank No. 4 in cap space. 

The Cowboys have elite edge rushers in Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, but the interior line did not perform. Dallas drafted DT Mazi Smith in the first round, but time will tell if he’s able to take on a starter’s role on a playoff team. We know Donald is more than capable of that. Imagine adding him to that defense. 

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That said, the Cowboys’ cap situation for 2024 isn’t as pretty – just $8 million under the cap at this stage. Plus, they need to sign Parsons, WR CeeDee Lamb and CB Trevon Diggs to extensions soon.

The New York Jets have Quinnen Williams, considered the “Next Aaron Donald” by some. Williams signed a 4-year, $96 million extension in mid-July. Donald wouldn’t fill the most-pressing needs, but it would give the Jets one of the more-feared defenses, and we know the Jets are all-in on the next two seasons (assuming Aaron Rodgers picks up his 2024 option). 

The Jacksonville Jaguars have edge rushers and promise in the interior, but Donald presents a sign and they’re going for it. 

Only one team checks all the boxes in terms of need, cap space and a desire to win a title now. 

The Cincinnati Bengals rank eighth in cap space now ($19M) and seventh in 2024 ($49M). They added DT D.J. Reader and there are other playmakers on the edge as well, but DT remains shallow. Cincy’s offense will score. Last year the defense ranked No. 5 in points allowed but No. 29 in sacks. Imagine what adding Donald does to that unit. 

A lot can change between now and March 13, when free agency opens for the 2024 season. But based on need, money and title pushes, the Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Washington Commanders and New York Giants could be in line to make a splash on the trade market next offseason, if Donald is still out there. Those teams highlight The Field.

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