The Los Angeles Rams have decided to part ways with Cooper Kupp, the Super Bowl 56 MVP, after attempts to trade their former number one wide receiver fell through.
The official departure of Kupp, who was the 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, was confirmed at the start of the league year on Wednesday.
Despite Kupp expressing his preference to continue playing for the Rams, the team attempted to trade him last month. However, with $20 million owed to Kupp this season, finding a team willing to take on the contract proved challenging.
Expressing his gratitude, Kupp took to social media to thank Rams supporters and reminisce about his eight seasons with the team.
“We talked often about the Rams being back in LA and how we would grow to be something special here,” he noted.
Despite initial frustrations, Kupp emphasized the importance of creating lasting memories and experiences for fans.
With Kupp’s departure, the Rams will incur $22.3 million in dead cap money, with the significant portion, $14.8 million, impacting this year, following the three-year, $80.1 million deal Kupp signed after his standout 2021 season.
During that remarkable year, Kupp achieved the receiving triple crown and earned Super Bowl MVP honors by catching 145 passes for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns.
His postseason performance was equally impressive, with 33 catches for 478 yards and six TDs, including the decisive touchdown in the Super Bowl victory over Cincinnati.
Kupp’s impact on the field has been noticeably lessened in recent seasons due to injuries limiting his participation to no more than 12 games annually, and he hasn’t surpassed 900 receiving yards in any season since then.
An ankle injury cost him four early games this past season and contributed to his least productive stretch, where he managed just 12 catches for 162 yards over the final five games.
Meanwhile, the emergence of Puka Nacua as a top-tier NFL receiver has altered the dynamics for the Rams.
Selected in the fifth round in 2023, Nacua has been averaging an impressive 88.4 yards per game, partly attributing his success to the mentorship and leadership of Kupp.
Additionally, the Rams have bolstered their roster by acquiring Davante Adams in the offseason, securing the three-time All-Pro’s talents with a two-year contract potentially valued at $46 million.
Drafted in 2017 from Eastern Washington, Kupp became an instrumental figure in coach Sean McVay’s offensive plans.
Throughout his tenure, he amassed 634 receptions for 7,776 yards and 57 touchdowns.
This move is in line with the Rams’ approach of making pivotal roster changes, as seen with the trades or releases of players like Jared Goff, Todd Gurley, and Robert Woods before the activation of their substantial contract extensions.
