The Packers came close to winning the Odell Beckham Jr. sweepstakes. They were considered one of the top contenders for the veteran receiver's services after he and the Browns agreed to part ways.
Green Bay had one of the NFL's best records (7-2) at the time of Beckham's signing. They also have one of the NFL's best quarterbacks in reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers and have long been in need of a No. 2 receiver complement to Davante Adams.
However, the Packers were unable to sign Beckham despite the good-looking fit. Why? It all boiled down to one thing: money.
IYER: Why OBJ signing won't be a repeat of Antonio Brown to the Bucs
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Sunday that the Packers offered Beckham just the veteran minimum ($1.075 million), plus incentives to finish out the season. The Rams gave Beckham a contract worth $4.25 million over the rest of the season with a base value of $1.25 million.
That gave Los Angeles the edge monetarily. Green Bay was given a chance to increase its offer, but it didn't. That made Beckham's choice simple.
"He wasn't going to take the same or less money to go to Green Bay (over Los Angeles)," a source said of Beckham to ESPN.
MORE: Why Odell Beckham isn't wearing No. 13 jersey with Rams
As a result of Green Bay's lack of "financial aggressiveness," Beckham joined a loaded Rams receiving corps that already featured Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods and Van Jefferson. It was a mild surprise, if only because Beckham was thought to look for more targets after his inability to connect with Baker Mayfield.
Beckham wasn't expected to have a huge role with the Rams right away, but Woods tore his ACL a day after Beckham signed. That required Beckham to be active and play 15 snaps against the 49ers on "Monday Night Football" in Week 10, against whom he caught two passes for 18 yards.
Two weeks later, Sean McVay hopes to get Beckham "a lot more" involved against the Packers after a bye week.
"Odell (is) just getting more familiar," McVay told ESPN. "I mean for him to be able to even play in the game against the Niners is an incredible credit to him."
MORE: Odell Beckham Jr.'s lackluster Rams debut summed up in one play
If Beckham can make some big plays Sunday, he can show the Packers just why they should have offered him more money during his brief, midseason free agency.