Of course he did. Because he is contractually obligated to move it for a lower rate, and he would be in the hole and out of pocket at that rate. If the smaller carriers keep refusing the cheap freight like this, it will put a lot of smaller brokers out of business.
Side note
I talked to a California based o/o yesterday. He runs coast to coast, and averages less than $1.70/mile. He is surviving by doing one turn every week. He is one of the reasons for an EOBR mandate.