Updated

Updated · Fox News · Sep 4

Rams Fit Aaron Donald's $20 Million Return Under Cap by Pushing Costs Into Future

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Sep 4

Rams Fit Aaron Donald's $20 Million Return Under Cap by Pushing Costs Into Future

Q: What hidden personal conduct issue is jeopardizing Puka Nacua's season opener as the Rams prepare for their grueling Australian trip?

The issue is an ongoing NFL Personal Conduct Policy review tied to a civil lawsuit accusing Puka Nacua of assault and battery during a New Year’s Eve 2025 incident. According to the reporting cited, a woman alleged Nacua bit her shoulder hard enough to leave a mark, also bit her friend’s thumb, and made an antisemitic remark during the outing. The lawsuit includes claims of gender violence, assault and battery. Nacua has denied wrongdoing through his attorney, who has characterized any contact as “horseplay,” and no criminal charges have been filed. That unresolved conduct review is why his Week 1 availability is not just an injury question. Even though Nacua is progressing from a psoas injury and was not placed on the commissioner’s exempt list, the NFL can still impose discipline at any time, including after the season starts. Multiple reports say the league has not yet announced a decision. So the “hidden” issue is not a newly revealed matter, but the still-pending league review of those off-field allegations — chiefly the biting accusation and alleged antisemitic comment — which could still jeopardize his season opener in Australia.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 4

Aaron Donald's one-year, $20 million Rams return was made possible by restructuring other deals rather than clearing major salary outright, agent Leigh Steinberg said.
Leigh Steinberg said Los Angeles created room through "caponomics"—redoing contracts, converting salary into bonuses and using void years to spread cap hits well beyond the current season.
Matthew Stafford's extension now runs on the cap through 2031, while Trent McDuffie's and Myles Garrett's deals were backloaded so their biggest hits land in later years.
That approach let the Rams add Donald after already extending Stafford, McDuffie and Garrett, building a defensive front Steinberg said could rival the franchise's historic Fearsome Foursome.
Donald is also expected to travel with the Rams for their Week 1 opener in Australia, though his game status has not been confirmed.