LOS ANGELES — Cooper Kupp, the standout receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, has confirmed that the team is looking to trade him after spending eight seasons with the franchise. Expressing his displeasure with this decision, Kupp took to social media to share that the Rams informed him they would be “seeking a trade immediately” while also working with him and his family to find an appropriate destination for his continued pursuit of championships.
The Super Bowl 56 MVP effectively bid farewell to the city he has called home throughout his career. Kupp expressed his disagreement with the move, stating, “I don’t agree with the decision and always believed it was going to begin and end in LA.” He reflected on the importance of handling difficult situations, saying, “there are so many things that are out of your control, but it is how you respond to these things that you will look back on and remember.”
Kupp’s position with the Rams had become uncertain, especially after signing a three-year contract extension worth $80.1 million following an exceptional season in 2021-2022 when he was named the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year. His contract is set to take up a significant portion of the team’s cap space next season; however, the Rams could alleviate a substantial amount of that by trading or releasing him with a post-June 1 designation. “Preparations start now for 2025,” he mentioned in his post, signaling his determination to continue competing at a high level.
Earlier in October, after starting the season with a lackluster 1-4 record, the Rams fielded inquiries regarding Kupp’s trade availability, but ultimately opted to retain him. The Rams’ management has a history of making bold moves, having previously traded or released key players like Jared Goff, Todd Gurley, and Robert Woods even before their lucrative contract extensions commenced. In response to Kupp’s announcement, the Rams have refrained from commenting on his social media statement.
Kupp has generally been a prolific receiver when healthy, having been selected by the Rams in the third round of the NFL Draft out of Eastern Washington just after the team hired Sean McVay as head coach. Throughout his career, he has become a cornerstone of McVay’s offensive strategies, recording 634 receptions for 7,776 yards and 57 touchdowns. In his farewell message, Kupp expressed gratitude to the LA community for their support and for making his family’s time in the city memorable.
Three seasons ago, Kupp achieved a historic milestone by leading the league in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947), and touchdown receptions (16). He capped off another impressive playoff run by winning the Super Bowl MVP award, scoring the pivotal touchdown in the Rams’ victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. However, Kupp’s productivity has declined in recent seasons; he faced challenges in the current season due to an ankle injury that sidelined him for the first four games. During the last five games of the regular season, he managed only 12 catches for 162 yards, marking a notably low output for the receiver. In the playoffs, Kupp tallied six catches for 90 yards without any touchdowns.
Emerging as a top-tier NFL receiver under Kupp’s guidance is Puka Nacua, who has quickly made a name for himself in the league. Averaging an impressive 88.4 yards per game, Nacua’s performance has positioned him as a key player for the Rams moving forward. He humorously noted on social media, “So I thought it was just the NBA trade season.”
As Kupp’s potential departure looms, Nacua is set to become the primary target for McVay and the future quarterback of the Rams. Matthew Stafford, who has a strong rapport with both Kupp and Nacua, has indicated he will take time to decide on his return for another NFL season. The Los Angeles passing game is bracing for significant change, especially if Stafford decides to stay. Besides Kupp’s future being in flux, other veteran receivers like Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell, and Tyler Johnson may also leave via free agency. The team’s passing game coordinator recently departed for an offensive coordinator position with the Houston Texans, further complicating the Rams’ offensive landscape.
As Kupp approaches the age of 32 next season, he faces an uncertain future with the Rams. Despite three consecutive seasons of over 90 receptions leading up to his remarkable 2021-22 season, he has not exceeded 75 catches or 812 receiving yards in the two years since.
