Quote
dzrams
Quote
max
According to Vinny, Direct quote:
"KC offered more. it could have looked like the same amount on paper but it’s always about what’s guaranteed and KC’s guarantee topped the #Rams. From what I’m told in the short term and overall."
The bottom line is the Rams were willing to pay Cooks more than Watkins. But clearly, the Rams wanted to keep Watkins, they just set a price limit on his value to them an KC exceeded it.
I believe there is enough evidence out there to indicate that the Rams valued Cooks over Watkins. It's been reported that Cooks was their first choice last year.
However, how do we know that Watkins leaving is because they set a price limit?
Another option is they were surprised that the WR jumped as high as it did and they recovered by resetting their internal amount of what they were willing to spend on the position after being left high and dry. We do know that the WR market jumped higher than anybody predicted.
It was never a straight up choice though. Making it sound like a straight-up choice kind of messes up the timeline. They wanted Cooks. Couldn't get him. Got Watkins instead. Went to pay Watkins. That was a sincere effort. The Chiefs rushed in at the last minute and got him instead. If that hadn't happened, SW would be a Ram. But it did happen. Then later they find out Cooks is available now so they go get him.
Did they value Cooks more? Sure, and I doubt anyone would say otherwise. They wanted him first.
BUT when they didn't think they had a shot at Cooks, they did try to sign Watkins.
So it's just a slightly messier story.
....
