Sammy Watkins went all spring and summer under the impression he’d play for the Buffalo Bills this season. What reason was there to think otherwise? He was finally healthy, the Bills were bringing back Tyrod Taylor at quarterback and Watkins was expected to be a big part of the offense.

In August, the Bills shipped him to sunny Los Angeles for E.J. Gaines and a second-round pick. It was the most surprising trade of the year, particularly given Watkins’ contract situation.

He made $3.1 million this past season, but his contract is set to expire, making him a free agent in 2018. It’s a tricky situation for the Rams because he only had 39 receptions for 593 yards and eight touchdowns – numbers you’d expect him to put up in half a season.

Watkins undoubtedly wants to be paid like a top receiver, and at 24 years old, he’s barely hit his prime. But will the Rams give him $12 million to $15 million per year after a disappointing season statistically? That remains to be seen, but Watkins’ desire to stay in L.A. is obvious.

“I love it here,” Watkins told the L.A. Times. “I don’t want to change teams. That’s not what a guy of my stature wants to do, bounce around. I’ve got a family so I’m looking forward to staying. But you know it’s a business.”

Indeed, the NFL is a business. It’s why teams have trouble keeping their best players around for the long haul. This thing called the salary cap gets in the way. That could easily be the case for the Rams and Watkins this offseason.

They’re expected to have about $48.7 million in cap space next year, but they have more big-name free agents than arguably any other team. Along with Watkins, they have to try to re-sign Lamarcus Joyner, Trumaine Johnson, Nickell Robey-Coleman and possibly even Connor Barwin. Signing Aaron Donald to an extension wouldn’t be a bad idea either.

It’s possible Watkins leaves, assuming the Rams don’t franchise tag him.

“If I go, I’ll be hurt,” he said. “I just want to stay here and ball, that’s what any player wants to do. You don’t want to hop from team to team, quarterback to quarterback.”

The franchise tag is the likeliest scenario for Watkins and the Rams, affording each side one more year to evaluate the situation. It’ll be difficult for L.A. to sign Watkins and Donald to long-term extensions this offseason, and although the franchise tag is costly for wideouts (about $15 million), it’s a short-term solution.