The 7 worst contracts in LA Rams franchise history

Third Worst contract

3. WR Brandin Cooks – July 17, 2018 – 5 years $80 million/ $48,459,000 guaranteed

Perhaps an even worse contract is the one that the Rams executed with wide receiver Brandin Cooks and is one of the inherent risks of adding talent to a roster from the roster of another team. After all, the Rams traded a pretty hefty ransom just to acquire Cooks from the New England Patriots.  That move cost the LA Rams a  first-round and sixth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft in exchange for WR Brandin Cooks and a fourth-round pick from the same 2018 NFL Draft.

As soon as the team acquired Cooks, they set about to secure the impressive wide receiver for a long-term contract. The result was a whopping five-year deal worth $80 million, and over 60 percent of the deal was completely and irrevocably guaranteed.

Much like the other financial fiasco from 2018, this contract did not hold its value for long.  Cooks appeared to be ‘that guy’ throughout the 2018 NFL season. And with WR Cooper Kupp suffering a mid-season ACL injury, Cooks truly stepped up to help carry the team to their best record under HC Sean McVay 13-3, and all the way to Super Bowl LIII.

Much like Gurley, the 2019 version of Brandin Cooks was a pale version of his former self. The team struggled to get him involved in the offense, and his offensive snap count fell to his lowest number since his rookie season due to injuries. In fact, some reports indicated that his permanent health was at risk due to frequent concussions.

The Rams traded Cooks and a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to the Houston Texans for a second-round pick in the 2020  NFL Draft.

The total cost to the LA Rams? $42,459,000. What did the Rams get? In two years, the Rams benefitted from 122 receptions, 1,787 yards, and seven touchdowns. Just to compare and contrast, the New England Patriots got 65 receptions, 1,082 yards, and seven touchdowns in just one year’s time. Their cost? $1,563,198.

The Patriots traded for Brandin Cooks and a 2017 NFL Draft fourth-round pick from the New Orleans Sants for their 2017 NFL Draft first-round and third-round picks. In the end, the Patriots rented Cooks for a year at the cost of $1.5 million and a 2017 third-round and a 2018 fourth-round pick.

The Rams? Well, their outlay was renting Cooks for two years and a second-round pick for a cost of a first-round and a fourth-round pick. Oh, and the small matter of nearly $42.5 million. Ugh. Still, it made sense to get Cooks’ contract off the books.