NFL
Rams WR Brandin Cooks Signs Five-Year Contract Extension
The Los Angeles Rams have committed long-term to recently acquired WR Brandin Cooks, announcing the agreement of a five-year contract extension Tuesday afternoon.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the terms of the extension, with the former New England Patriot now staying in Los Angeles through 2023 on an $80 million deal. The total contract value rises to $88 million over six years when factoring in his existing $8 million one-year contract.
Rams are giving WR Brandin Cooks a five-year extension worth $80 million, tying him to LA for six years at $88 million, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 17, 2018
Cooks, 24, was traded to the Rams with a fourth-round draft pick in early April after one season in New England, with the Patriots receiving first and sixth round picks in return. Prior to his stint in Foxborough, Cooks spent three years with the New Orleans Saints.
Despite playing only one season in New England, Cooks further established himself as a top-tier receiver. In the regular season, Cooks posted 1,000+ receiving yards and seven touchdowns for a third consecutive year. In the process, Cooks bested his career-high 16.6 average yards per catch. Cooks also helped New England reach Super Bowl LII before being sidelined with a concussion in the first half.
Entering the offseason with ample WR depth and a need for cap space, Cooks became increasingly expendable in Foxborough. With the Rams offering draft picks, New England struck a deal and Cooks went to Los Angeles.
While Cooks has yet to make his Rams debut, this long-term extension shows the organization’s faith in their new receiver. In the Rams’ public announcement of the extension, head coach Sean McVay stated:
“Brandin Cooks has shown himself to be a class act on and off the field since the first day he joined our team […] He’s a proven professional in this league and signing him to a long-term contract was always our goal. We’re excited to keep Brandin in a Rams uniform through 2023.”
Lacking a truly elite receiver in previous seasons, the Rams have found their missing piece in Brandin Cooks. Cooks joins an already formidable offense that boasts the likes of Todd Gurley III and Jared Goff. If Cooks can indeed maintain his past production in coming seasons, the Rams offense will be one of the league’s best.
