That sounded like a difference with out a distinction. But I looked it up and found out it wasn't! Live and learn (again)!! [
www.espn.com]
"... firing McDaniels would have forced the Rams to pick up some of his salary. Letting McDaniels go to the Patriots means New England will assume all the financial burden for the one year remaining on McDaniels' contract with St. Louis.
Had McDaniels been fired, rules would have required his next NFL team to pay him a competitive wage, with the Rams picking up the difference. With the Patriots picking up the full tab, the Rams can commit the savings to their next staff. League rules would have prevented the Rams from extracting cash or draft choices from the Patriots for McDaniels; such exchanges are allowed only for head coaches and top executives."
AlbaNY_Ram
