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Rams Use Creative Cap Moves to Fit Aaron Donald's Deal

Friday, September 4, 2026 · 4 sources

The Los Angeles Rams utilized void years and backloaded contracts to accommodate Aaron Donald's $20 million deal. This move allowed the team to fit Donald's contract alongside other notable players like Myles Garrett.

The Los Angeles Rams employed a strategic approach to manage their salary cap. They used void years, backloaded contracts, and other creative cap moves to fit Aaron Donald's $20 million deal into their budget. This maneuver enabled the team to retain Donald while also accommodating the contracts of other high-profile players, such as Myles Garrett. The Rams' use of 'caponomics' allowed them to navigate the complexities of the NFL salary cap and build a competitive roster. By structuring contracts in a way that minimizes immediate cap hits, the team can allocate resources more efficiently and make strategic signings like the one that brought Aaron Donald out of retirement.

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What is 'caponomics' in the context of the NFL?

Caponomics refers to the strategic management of the NFL salary cap, using techniques like void years and backloaded contracts to maximize roster flexibility and minimize cap hits.

How do void years help teams manage their salary cap?

Void years are dummy years added to the end of a contract, which can help spread out the cap hit of a signing bonus or other contract elements, giving teams more flexibility to manage their cap space.

What is a backloaded contract, and how does it affect the salary cap?

A backloaded contract is one where the majority of the payments are made in the later years of the deal, rather than evenly throughout. This can help teams manage their cap space in the short term, but may lead to larger cap hits in the future.

How does the Rams' use of creative cap moves impact their roster building?

By using void years, backloaded contracts, and other creative cap moves, the Rams can build a more competitive roster by retaining key players like Aaron Donald and signing other notable players like Myles Garrett.

What are the potential risks and benefits of using 'caponomics' in the NFL?

The benefits of caponomics include increased roster flexibility and the ability to sign high-profile players. However, the risks include potential cap hits in the future and the possibility of being stuck with unproductive contracts that are difficult to escape.