LOS ANGELES_Aaron Donald appeared fully focused when he sacked Brian Hoyer to seal the Los Angeles Rams' 41-39 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night.
A day after the win improved his team's record to 2-1, coach Sean McVay said he has not sensed that Donald's ongoing contract situation has been a distraction to the three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman.
"I know he knows this, that while he's here, that doesn't mean we're still not trying to proactively pursue a solution so that everybody can feel good about it," McVay said Friday. "That's one of our priorities that doesn't change whether he's been here or not here.
"But the thing I love about Aaron, I don't sense that's affected him at all."
Donald, a fourth-year pro, sat out offseason workouts and did not attend training camp because he wants a new deal.
He has two years remaining on his rookie contract and is believed to be seeking a package that will make him the NFL's highest-paid defensive player.
Donald is represented by CAA Sports and since reporting on the eve of the opener he has repeatedly worn a T-shirt bearing the agency's logo. Donald did not attend the Rams' victory over the Indianapolis Colts but played in a Week 2 loss to the Washington Redskins.
Against the 49ers, Donald had his 29th career sack, one quarterback hit and three quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus.
"Played a little cleaner but still need to clean some things up," he said after the game.
Donald's sack of Hoyer on a fourth-and-20 play ended the 49ers' final threat.
"He was more focused on, after the Washington game, 'Let me see how I can prepare myself to be a better factor in this game,'" McVay said. "And I thought you saw him show up.
"He ends up closing out the game ... . (That's) why he's a special player, because he delivered in crunch time like that."
Donald delivered late in the game after he was called for a questionable roughing-the-passer penalty during a 49ers scoring drive in the third quarter.
Donald, who was ejected from last season's game at Levi's Stadium, kept his cool on Thursday night.
There is still work to be done, he said.
"Feeling better but in due time just got to keep working and getting things locked down," he said. "Still knocking little things off here and there, but we'll get there."
