The Los Angeles Rams have dug themselves into a hole with the salary cap in recent years thanks to the massive contracts they’ve given out to their top players. And it seems now the team is trying to shed those deals in order to free up some money.
According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the Rams are shopping both Todd Gurley and Brandin Cooks, making them available for trades. They each signed lucrative extensions before the 2018 season.
Aside from Todd Gurley, the Rams have also made Brandin Cooks available in a trade as they attempt to trim salary and restock their draft picks, per source.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 19, 2020
Mike Silver of NFL Network reported earlier this week that Cooks could be traded this offseason, and it likely wouldn’t require a team to part with a first-round pick to make it happen.
Brandin Cooks has been traded twice in his career (Saints to Patriots, Patriots to Rams), with a first-round pick included on each occasion. The 7th-year WR could be traded again this offseason, and it likely wouldn't take a 1.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) March 16, 2020
Gurley has been an obvious trade candidate for the Rams, potentially opening up $4.65 million in cap space if he’s dealt. The Rams don’t have much money to spend right now and are looking for ways to free up some space.
As for Cooks, trading him is less financially beneficial. If he’s dealt, the Rams would take on $17.8 million in dead money, which is $1 million more than his cap hit will be if he remains with the team in 2020.
Neither player performed particularly well last season, as both battled injuries and put up underwhelming numbers. Gurley rushed for a career-low 857 yards with only 207 yards receiving, though he did score 14 total touchdowns.
Cooks caught a career-low 42 passes for 583 yards and two touchdowns, missing two games due to concussions. He and Jared Goff struggled to connect on deep passes last season, which led to Cooks’ poor numbers.