The Los Angeles Rams added another offensive weapon to the mix this offseason with the surprise trade for New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks. The front office has been quite active over the last several weeks toward acquiring proven talent to their roster to build off their playoff berth last season.
Cooks is set to enter the fifth-year option of his rookie deal that is worth $8.5 million for the 2018 season and could become a free agent next March. However, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the Rams have already expressed interest in working out a new extension with Cooks this offseason:
The Rams have already expressed interest in extending Cooks’ contract. No guarantee it happens depending how strongly Cooks wants to hit free agency next offseason.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) April 3, 2018
Although there may not be any certainty in terms of an extension being agreed upon, it does speak volumes about the significant interest the team has had in him for quite some time. This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise given that the Rams had held trade discussion with the Patriots about Cooks for over the last month prior to when New York Giants All-Pro wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. became potentially in the conversation.
On top of that, Josh Katzenstein of New Orleans Times-Picayune is reporting that the Rams were one of the teams that were in on Cooks last offseason prior to him being traded to the Patriots.
By the way, the Rams were among the teams that reached out to the Saints about a Brandin Cooks trade last year. Made it happen a year later.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) April 3, 2018
With the Rams heading in the right direction and the high amount of interest getting an extension hammered out, it could be just a matter of finding a figure that both sides are comfortable with moving forward. Cooks has a chance to garner a lucrative contract that could see him land one of the higher-paid contracts at his position.
The 24-year-old is coming off another productive campaign where he notched 65 catches for 1,082 receiving yards with seven touchdown receptions. This marked the third straight year with at least 1,000 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches.
