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Rams Face Cap Pressure After Aaron Donald Return

9/7/2026

15 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Garrett Signs Deal

Myles Garrett signed a four-year, $160 million contract, the league’s fourth-most valuable edge deal.
The deal guarantees $123.6 million and carries a $40 million average salary, sixth-highest AAV league-wide.
The Rams will exceed the salary-cap ceiling by $1.3 million after applying top-51 salaries on September 9.
Aaron Donald’s return adds cap pressure, forcing the Rams to make a roster transaction before the deadline.

Summary

Rams Travel Melbourne

The Los Angeles Rams will fly to Melbourne, Australia, the day before their season-opening game.
The San Francisco 49ers leave the Bay Area on Sept. 2 and arrive Melbourne on Sept. 4.
The Rams’ 16-hour charter lands Thursday morning, with practice at 4:35 p.m. AEST.
Head coach Sean McVay trusts the plan to keep body clocks on Pacific Time.
GM John Lynch says George Kittle and Nick Bosa are expected to suit up.

History

Historical Context

After the NFL’s first regular-season game abroad in Mexico City attracted 103,467 fans in 2005, the league began the International Series at Wembley in 2007, creating an annual overseas presence. Now the Rams are slated to host a 2026 regular-season game at Melbourne’s Cricket Ground, and the league has granted marketing rights in 22 foreign markets, seeking growth beyond the U.S. market.

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Garrett Signs Deal

Myles Garrett signed a four-year, $160 million contract, the league’s fourth-most valuable edge deal.
The deal guarantees $123.6 million and carries a $40 million average salary, sixth-highest AAV league-wide.
The Rams will exceed the salary-cap ceiling by $1.3 million after applying top-51 salaries on September 9.
Aaron Donald’s return adds cap pressure, forcing the Rams to make a roster transaction before the deadline.

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