Aaron Donald can earn $10 million if Rams win the Super Bowl

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 08: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams adjusts his jersey as he looks on during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles at SoFi Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Los Angeles Rams brought back Aaron Donald on a one-year contract worth up to $30 million, and the initial estimate for his 2026 cap hit came in at $10 million with the potential to rise with incentives. However, the officially released cap numbers are much more tenable for 2026, while adding a significant number in the future when Donald could be back in retirement.

Instead of $10 million, Donald's cap hit will be $5.826 million, which is basically every cent of cap space that L.A. had left before he signed. Now Donald will carry a $17.925 million cap number in 2027, when Donald is not signed, and the contract has four void years. The deal has four void years, with dead money going out to 2030.

Furthermore, Donald's bonus works out like this:

• He gets $2.5 million if he plays 15% of the snaps and L.A. makes the playoffs (probable)
• $1.25 million if he's active for a playoff berth
• $1.25 million if he's active for the second round of the playoffs
• $2.5 million if the Rams go to the Super Bowl
• $2.5 million if the Rams win the Super Bowl

DL Aaron Donald's 1-year, $20M #Rams Contract

Cap Hits
2026: $5.8M
2027: $18M (void)

Base Salary: $10M (gtd)

Per-Game-Active: $10M
$666,666 per game, max 15

$10M Incentive Package: pic.twitter.com/KJy8RDhIgt

- Spotrac (@spotrac) September 3, 2026

The Rams have a lot of cap space in 2027, but they also have a lot of accounting to do with free agents. Basically all of their offensive line except for A.J. Jackson, plus Puka Nacua, Byron Young, Kobie Turner, and others.

Will the Rams be able to eat $18 million for Donald? Will Donald want to play again in 2027?

The Rams have an ability to carry 54 players on their roster through the first two weeks of the season thanks to Donald's roster exemption provided by the league.