If Rams are going to move on from Brandin Cooks, the clock is ticking

Waiting until March 20 makes moving Brandin Cooks nearly impossible financially.

After his first season without 1,000 yards receiving since his rookie year in 2014, questions have surfaced about Brandin Cooks’ future with the Los Angeles Rams. He had just 42 catches for 583 yards and two touchdowns last season, averaging career-lows in receptions per game and yards per game.

He missed two contests due to concussions last season, which limited his availability on the field and his time in practice. Those absences paired with a reduction in targets (117 in 2018 to 72 in 2019) resulted in a disappointing season for the wideout.

His contract is a pricey one, too, making it difficult for the Rams to get out of – if that’s the route they want to go. Trading Cooks saves more money than outright cutting him, but neither will add any cap space for the Rams.

And if they are going to make a move involving him, it had better be sooner rather than later. According to Spotrac, if the Rams cut or trade him after March 20, the cap savings gets reduced dramatically. If they cut him after that date, they’ll incur $29.8 million in dead money. That’s not going to happen. If they trade him after March 20, it’ll cost the Rams $4 million more than it would if he’s dealt before then.

This is all because his 2020 salary of $8 million becomes fully guaranteed on March 20. His $4 million roster bonus becomes guaranteed on March 15, too, so the clock is ticking for Los Angeles to make a move.

It’s almost certain Cooks will be on the Rams’ roster in 2020, given his past performance and the lack of savings that comes with moving him. It’s more feasible to trade or cut him in 2021.

The Rams would be wise to give Cooks, who had four straight years of 1,000 yards and at least five touchdowns, another year in Los Angeles.