The Rams took care of a massive piece of business earlier today, but financial work remains on the offensive side of the ball. A new deal for Cooper Kupp should now become an even larger area of focus for the team, but the receiver is staying positive throughout the negotiation process. 
[RELATED: Rams Give Donald Record-Setting Raise]
As detailed by Jourdan Rodrigue of the Athletic (subscription required), Kupp will continue to attend Rams offseason activities, including next week’s minicamp, in spite of ongoing contract talks. It was reported in March that once a new deal was worked out with defensive tackle Aaron Donald, Kupp would become the Rams’ top priority. As a result, the soon-to-be 29-year-old could land a re-worked contract in the very near future.
In April, it came out that Kupp was seeking a “fair” contract, meaning he may not reset the receiver market the way Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams have this offseason. He is certainly set to benefit from those and other recent deals, though, and could join the $20MM-per-year club via an extension. Kupp has two years remaining on his current contract, and is due $29.5MM over that span. He is remaining in communication with the front office, as he has throughout the process.
“I try to help where I can” he said. “I don’t want to be in the dark on this thing. I also love this organization. I want to be here for a very long time… And so I want this to be something that makes sense for everyone… It’s never going to be at the cost of anything on the football field, [but] the more communication, the better, and [we’ll] just be able to find a place [where] we can all feel good.”
The five-year veteran had not just a career-year in 2021, but one of the best statistical seasons in NFL history at the position. His ‘Triple Crown’ campaign (in which he led the league in receptions, yards and touchdowns) was capped off by a Super Bowl MVP award. Now, it is likely to lead him to a significant raise and an extended stay in Los Angeles.
They should build a statue of this guy out front their stadium unreal postseason performance. Give him a hundred mil
100M? Yes.
Statue? No.
Dude is almost 30 and due for some statistical regression. $100M might even end up being a bad idea but as you say, that all world performance earned it
So tired of these guys wanting more money while still under contract. If you think that much of yourself, sign one year contracts and get paid accordingly. Otherwise you’re just a pompous arrogant jerk.
And, no doubt, your anger is righteous rather than jealous.
In most cases I might agree, but not with this guy. He has simply answered questions that the press (always looking for drama), have hounded him with. He’s expressed nothing but a team attitude in every quote. No tantrums. No deleting the team from his socials. No hold outs.
This guy is a class act.
So are we to assume you’ve never asked for a raise at your job while under contract? Cause I’d find that hard to believe. 99% chance most people have asked for raises at some point during their working career. I certainly have and my union certainly bargained for raises on my behalf, all while under contract.
The difference between Kupp and you/me/most everyone in this thread is Kupp can leverage his ability to generate money to seek a raise. There’s not too many wrs in the world that can do what Kupp does. Plenty of people could probably do your job and my job.
You and I have until 65+ to make money. Football players have roughly till 35 if they’re lucky. 23-35 isn’t exactly a lot of time to make money…..especially when 4 or 5 of those years you’re under rookie contract. Most careers don’t even venture past 30-32.
But I also assume youre upset when teams cut players to save money against the cap. You do expect teams to honor the contract they signed the player to correct? Cause that’d be a little weird to be mad at the player not honoring the contract but be indifferent or ok with teams not honoring the contract.
You also need to remember that these guys end up having physical problems later on. They are covered under L&I but that will not cover it all. These guys could spend millions in care as they get older. I don’t blame the players for getting money. I think the guys that demand to be paid the most or get more guaranteed money are too arrogant. There are players that wait to sign so they can beat another guys and be the highest paid. Kupp seems to be the opposite. Also Bill are you sure the Rams didn’t approach him first?
It goes both ways. Teams are on the short side more often than not.
My point is that players in general shouldn’t sign multi year contracts and then complain/expect more annually. If your agent was smart, they would sign 1yr deals or heavily pack them with performance incentives.
Did Kupp perform well enough to garner more money? Yes. But he already signed a contract. Those seem so meaningless these days, why have them at all?
And I’m free to leave my job when I please because I don’t any sort of contract.
There’s two basic reasons players expect more money.
1. They’ve outperformed their contract. If teams can cut guys for underperforming contracts and recoup/save money makes sense players can demand raises for outperforming contracts. Rams signed Todd Gurley to a 4 years 60 mill contract with 45 mill guaranteed in 2018. They cut him 2 years later in 2020 to save 10.5 mill or something, contract was suppose to run through 2022/2023. They didn’t honor the contract they agreed to with Gurley but you expect players to honor their contract?
2. Prices typically don’t go down in life, unless you hit a serious recession and economy crashes. Stuff costs more year after year. Especially now a days in America.
Teams are earning more and players expect to be paid more.
Here’s a graphic showing revenue the Rams have earned from 2001-2020. Behind a wall but you can see the revenue trending upward significantly.
link to statista.com
Signing 1 year deals isn’t the wisest decision. Especially when 4 or 5 years you’re on a rookie contract, which, for Kupp, as a 3rd round pick he initially signed a 4 year 3.8 million dollar contract. Average NFL career is about 7 to 8 years.
Salary Cap is a myth.
The void years should not be allowed. If you give them the contract, you should face the consequences.
$25 beers to pay for all of this.
The Rams have such a phenomenal understanding of how to maximize a window of contention.
When you have a real chance, you move your assets into that window and accept that you’ll pay for it later.
The alternative is more often than not perennial mediocrity.
I agree, they are all in. They have 2022 and 2023 and then it’s gonna get ugly for awhile. But, they will be contending for a championship during that time.
The Rams haven’t had a 1st round draft pick since 2018 and won’t have one until 2024 (so far) but everyone gets on the Browns for mortgaging the future of 1st round draft picks. I’d rather have a proven player than a #25 draft pick any day
Have the Browns won a Super Bowl?
Not yet but neither did the Rams before they gave up all those picks. The Browns are closer to a Super Bowl with Watson than they were with Baker. And I like Baker. The last 2 Super Bowl winners did it with 1st year quarterbacks for their team. Most people believe the Browns were a good quarterback away from a real chance. They have that now, even if it’s not for this year with the looming suspension
They would be closer with Watson if he had a shot at playing anytime soon but I have a feeling it might be a few more years if at all.
For a happy ending? There were no charges. I could see if he was sentenced to prison. He’ll play this season. The Browns did their homework and I wouldn’t be surprised if they were told how many games he’d be suspended. Think about this. Do you think you’d have multiple teams willing to give up 3 first round draft picks plus more if they didn’t have some reassurances that he’d be playing soon? The Browns started the process 5 months before the trade as did all the teams. 4-8 games is all he’ll get
The. Rams. Won.
But. Not
Before. They. Gave. Up. The. Picks. You do realize that there hasn’t been a season since they acquired Watson. Maybe you don’t. You’re a hockey fan so you don’t really know football
They were a good team that used draft picks to become a great team.
The Browns are a DUMPSTER FIRE and are desperately flailing from one plan to the next.
You’re a Browns fan so you don’t really know winning.
Not like the most successful NHL team of the past 30 years, the 5 time champion and owner of the longest playoff streak in all of pro sports, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
When you see your team just win and win and win and win and win and win it all over and over and over and over and over again, you understand winning.
Obviously, that’s foreign to a Browns fan.
Hockey is for hillbillies. It’s Nascar on ice. The Browns were 20-13 in the last 2 years. Hardly a dumpster fire. Whipped the Steelers in the playoffs. You were probably watching Disney on Ice that night
No, I saw the Browns beat the Steelers in the game a few years back.
AKA The Closest Thing To A Super Bowl Cleveland Has Ever Won.
A first round playoff game.
Whipped the Steelers. 20-13 isn’t a dumpster fire. Go watch the Ice Capades
When the highlight of your team’s history is winning a first round game against a mediocre Steeler team led by a geriatric and injured QB…
Whipped, em.
Tim Tebow beat the Steelers in the playoffs.
Hang your hat on that.
History? Who cares about history? Cleveland is set up to be a pretty good team for a long time. I’m good with everything. Watson is a very good quarterback and maybe not this year because of missing games but the Browns will always have a chance. The division is tough with Baltimore and Cincinnati. Pittsburgh will be bottom dwellers for years because of a lack of even a decent quarterback. You always Dismey on Ice or hockey. Whatever you call it
Exactly.
You are “good with everything.”
Which is why you react with your hair on fire anytime anyone says anything less the glowing about the Browns.
The glow is from the dumpster fire.
Haha. I’m very excited about my team. More than I’ve been in a very long time. We have owners willing to do anything to win. I don’t watch sports for morality. That’s what church is for. Good guys finish last. Mike Tomlin is a good guy
Strike while the iron is hot.