Mike Florio· Aug 30, 2026
Florio speculates about the mechanics of an Aaron Donald unretirement with the Rams, noting the Rams would need to restructure his $30 million deal and that, in a slim-but-possible scenario, Donald could be released and sign elsewhere. He also expects the Rams to extend Puka Nacua.
“Donald could potentially (and the chances are slim but not zero percent) make his comeback with another contender that is willing to pay him considerably more than the Rams would offer.”
published in writing · NBC Sports · read the original →
2 checkable claims — 2 trade and signing calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing bet.
It names 3 players and teams, each linked to their own record.
None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.
Where do you stand? Pick this and every open claim on Picks →
Who this take is about
2 checkable claims in this take
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
Aaron Donald to move to Los Angeles Rams
“Donald could be released by the Rams if he won’t relent on his $30 million — and then become a free agent. ... Donald could potentially (and the chances are slim but not zero percent) make his comeback with another contender that is willing to pay him considerably more than the Rams would offer.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Puka Nacua to move to Los Angeles Rams
“Receiver Puka Nacua, who clearly deserves a new deal, will eat up more of that money if/when the Rams extend a low-money rookie contract that expires after the coming season.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
What others said about the same people
- Nick ShookRoster Spot Calls · Aaron DonaldHit · 100Shook unveiled his first NFL power rankings of the year, putting the Rams first, the Broncos second and the defending champion Seahawks only third, with the Dolphins last.
- Jared DubinScore Predictions · Los Angeles RamsMiss · 26Dubin picks the Rams, Texans, Ravens, Bengals, Packers, Cowboys and Broncos in Week 1 with exact scores, and says the Rams are his pick to win the Super Bowl this season.
- Jordan DajaniScore Predictions · Los Angeles RamsMiss · 12Dajani picks the Rams over the 49ers, Texans over Bills, Ravens over Colts, Bengals over Buccaneers, Vikings over Packers, Cowboys over Giants and Broncos over Chiefs in Week 1, with exact scores. He also predicts the Bills win the AFC East, the Cowboys win their division, and Caleb Downs wins Defensive Rookie of the Year.
- Jared DubinScore Predictions · Los Angeles RamsMiss · 26The unsigned CBS Sports preview picks the Rams to beat the 49ers 31-21 in the Week 1 game in Melbourne, and also names the Rams as its Super Bowl winner for the season.
- Gilberto ManzanoGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles RamsMiss · 0Manzano's Week 1 straight-up picks for all 16 games.
- Albert BreerGame Outcome Picks · Los Angeles RamsMiss · 0Breer's Week 1 straight-up picks for all 16 games.
More trade and signing calls
The same kind of call, about other players and teams.
- Chris BrockmanTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100Brockman's season-preview overreactions: Fernando Mendoza becomes an Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist; Dak Prescott wins MVP and the Cowboys win the Super Bowl; Jesse Minter's Ravens win the AFC North; C.J. Stroud leads Houston to the AFC's No. 1 seed; Jonathan Taylor approaches 2,000 rushing yards; Baker Mayfield wins the NFC South, goes 12-5 and reaches the NFC title game while landing a $60 million-per-year deal; and Aaron Rodgers throws 35-plus touchdowns as the Steelers go 11-6 and win the North.
- Mike MoraitisTrade and Signing Calls · DaRon BlandHit · 100Moraitis names five Cowboys he expects to be playing their final season opener in Dallas in 2026: George Pickens (likely tag-and-trade or departure), Malik Hooker, Luke Schoonmaker, DeMarvion Overshown and DaRon Bland.
- Bucky BrooksTrade and Signing Calls · Keenan AllenHit · 100Brooks predicted J.J. McCarthy won't be on the Vikings' roster (traded or released), said Kyler Murray wins the Vikings' QB competition, made a series of 2025 award picks, made 2026 Heisman/draft projections including Arch Manning as the front-runner for the No. 1 overall pick, and said none of Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen or Joe Burrow win a championship this season.
- Jon GrudenTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The former Buccaneers head coach predicted that Tampa Bay and Baker Mayfield are closer on a new contract than believed and that an extension will get done.
- Joel CorryTrade and Signing Calls · Baker MayfieldHit · 100The unsigned CBS Sports analysis lays out the contract it believes Tampa Bay will have to give Mayfield at minimum: a two-year extension averaging $50 million per year with $110 million in guarantees and a no-trade clause.
- Seth WalderTrade and Signing Calls · Kayshon BoutteMiss · 0Walder proposes five trades he believes should happen before Week 1 of the 2026 season: Jessie Bates III to the 49ers, Kayvon Thibodeaux to the Patriots, Keon Coleman to the Colts, Walker Little to the Cardinals, and Kayshon Boutte to the Commanders, where he says Boutte would immediately be Washington's No. 2 receiver.