The Los Angeles Rams offloaded one of their biggest contracts on Thursday by releasing Todd Gurley, but it’s possible they aren’t done making moves. Several reports have suggested that the team could also trade Brandin Cooks and his massive contract in an attempt to recoup draft picks.
That doesn’t mean they’re openly shopping him, however. According to Ian Rapoport, the Rams are getting calls on Cooks, not making them.
“The Rams didn’t call people on Brandin Cooks but they certainly did receive calls,” Rapoport said on NFL Network Thursday.
Rich Hammond of The Athletic echoed similar sentiments regarding Cooks being put on the trade block, saying the Rams “haven’t been openly shopping him.” That being said, it seems the Rams are getting calls about Cooks as a potential trade chip.
A little insight on Brandin Cooks… Rams haven't been openly shopping him. A LOT of talks happen, names come up and teams listen. Doesn't mean a trade can't materialize, but calling and answering are two different things.
— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) March 20, 2020
Trading Cooks is far more difficult than it would’ve been to move Gurley, which makes a trade unlikely. The Rams would probably have to be blown away by the compensation, considering they’d eat $17.8 million in dead cap by trading him – $1 million more than it’ll cost them to keep him on the roster.
Additionally, his $8 million base salary in 2020 became fully guaranteed on Friday, and he’s owed an additional $4 million roster bonus, as well.
Rams WR Brandin Cooks’ $8M 2020 base salary, which was guaranteed for injury at signing, is fully guaranteed today. He also has a fully $4M roster bonus due today.
— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) March 20, 2020
All things considered, Cooks should remain with the Rams for another year unless someone offers Los Angeles a first-round pick. It’s hard to imagine that happening, though, given his concussion history and sizable contract.
But as always with the Rams, it’s something worth keeping an eye on.