more money then the Rams top 4 cap hits. NE top 4 cap percentage 32.71%, Rams top 4 cap hits: 27%.
I have heard that Cooks didn't run precise enough routes for NE, and didn't fit with their idea of spacing.
I have heard that Cooks was meant to be a part of the new Garropallo led NE team and when he was traded all bets were off.
The real reason Cooks is gone, is because even before they traded for him, they knew 2 things:
1. They would exercise his 5th year option
2. They were never going to extend his contract. They rented him for 1 year @ 2m to make a run at a SB (1 win short) and then recouped their 1st round pick.
Unlike McVay who feels he absolutely needs a very good deep threat to score points, BB doesn't. Cooks was never going to be a priority for him.
Don't waste your time looking back, you're not going that way. - Ragnar Lothbrok