2018 is counted as the last year of his rookie contract.
2019 his 2nd contract kicks in. That's the 5y/81M.
Saying he got 16 M a year (which is what people say) doesn't make sense if you fold the separate rookie contract into it. Saying he got 16 M a year means the 5 year contract is separate and different from the rookie contract.
And that's how it's reported. Just a few examples:
Quote
. [
www.cbssports.com]
Cooks' deal will keep his approximate salary of $8.46 million this year in place before it spikes when the extension kicks in next season.
The average worth of his extension is $16 million, and it keeps him in Los Angeles until the 2023 season.
Quote
. [
profootballtalk.nbcsports.com]
The first report about the compensation came a short time later. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the five-year extension has a total value of $80 million. Cooks is set to make $8 million this season
in the fifth and final year of his rookie deal....The new money averages $16 million a year, which ties former Ram and current Chief Sammy Watkins for the fourth-biggest per-year average among wideouts
Quote
. [
www.ocregister.com]
As part of the extension, Cooks received $20.5 million in guaranteed money and
his average salary will be approximately $16 million per season.
Quote
, [
www.espn.com]
A fifth-year pro, Cooks is entering
the final season of his rookie contract, which is scheduled to pay him $8.4 million. His extension will keep him with the Rams through the 2023 season.
