...is the deals being given TWO years ahead of time to Austin, Gurley and then Goff. Major mistakes. Austin, frankly, in my mind was 50/50 to even deserve his 5th year option for 2017 (given after a decent 2015 season). But OK, fine, give him that. Rams would have been free and clear of him after 2017.
Gurley? Never should have happened when it did. Should have given him his 5th year option for 2019 at the end of 2017. He would not have held out entering 2018. Then at the end of 2018 you evaluate where he is- which was then with a concerning knee issue. Would he have received an extension at all at that point? Maybe, but certainly not what he received.
Same with Goff. After 2018, pick up his 5th year option for 2020- which they did- which was $22.8M. Hardly chump change. Then WAIT until his 4th year is done. Now after 2019 would they have extended him? Probably. For the same amount? Doubtful.
By the way with Cooks I'm still good with that trade. For that 23rd overall pick they received two years of Cooks (including a 1,200-yard season) plus four years of Van Jefferson. I think that will bear out as good value.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/01/2021 04:15AM by LMU93.
