A report indicating the Rams are making calls to teams on Cooper Kupp may have been overstating how interested the NFC West franchise is in moving its top Los Angeles 2.0-era wide receiver. Kupp’s name remains in trade rumors, but the Rams may have a price floor.
Tuesday’s report pointed to the Rams targeting a second-round pick to the point they would be willing to pay some of Kupp’s salary to secure such a return. Thursday, SI.com’s Albert Breer said (during a Rich Eisen Show appearance) teams are calling the Rams on Kupp. In order to move the former All-Pro and Super Bowl MVP, Breer adds the Rams want a return that outflanks what the Raiders received for Davante Adams.
The teams still hunting for WR help have undoubtedly noticed the Rams’ early-season struggles, leading to inquiries about Kupp. We heard before the Rams’ win over the Raiders that Kupp had drawn trade interest, but as the receiver prepares to return tonight along with Puka Nacua, his current team is probably not committed to selling just yet. The Rams travel to Seattle following their Vikings matchup; their next two results could determine how willing they are to sell.
It cost the Jets a conditional third-round pick to acquire Adams from the Raiders. Las Vegas could have upped that, in all likelihood, had a mandate not been in place for an acquiring team to pick up all of Adams’ prorated 2024 base salary. The Jets did so and agreed on terms that would send a second-rounder to the Raiders if certain conditions are met. Adams is unlikely to satisfy the conditions, as he would need to earn first- or second-team All-Pro acclaim (in a season that has already featured three missed games) or he would need to suit up for an AFC championship game.
If the Rams enter serious Kupp trade talks, they would probably need to pay a sizable portion of his base salary to net a second-rounder. Just less than $9MM remains on Kupp’s 2024 base salary. Though, he is due $5MM in 2025 guarantees, presenting another complication here. The Rams have Kupp signed through 2026 via the three-year, $80.1MM extension agreed to months after his triple-crown season concluded. As they could regroup and hope the 31-year-old target can stay healthy. If they are to move on now, Breer notes teams have been informed the price will need to be higher than Adams’.
While Adams has never matched Kupp’s dominance from 2021, the former Packers and Raiders standout has been far more consistent. Kupp has put together just two 1,000-yard seasons, with injuries consistently interfering. Kupp has an ACL tear (2018) on his medical sheet, and he underwent tightrope surgery to repair an injured ankle in 2022. Kupp saw a hamstring specialist due to a nagging issue that delayed his 2023 debut and has only played in two games due to an ankle malady this season. This health history, even with the Rams taking on plenty of base salary, will give teams pause on Kupp as a hired gun.
Responsible for the second-best receiving yardage season in NFL history, Kupp added 478 yards and six touchdowns in the 2021 playoffs. Only Larry Fitzgerald (2008) has bettered that yardage figure in a single postseason, with Kupp passing Hakeem Nicks‘ strong 2011 work. Kupp’s dominance that year has increased his standing in L.A., with Breer posits the optics of giving up Kupp for a third- or fourth-round return may factor into this Rams equation.
It will be interesting to see if the Rams drop their price or if this truly is a “take it or leave it” situation for a player who was part of Sean McVay‘s first draft class. The Chiefs discussed Kupp with the Rams before adding DeAndre Hopkins for a conditional fifth. The Rams have an extra week to determine their sales path, with this year’s deadline being moved to Nov. 5.
Maybe this is why the Buccaneers are not interested in trading for Kupp or anyone else
They probably believe in McMillan as well, he’s a decent receiver. Coupled with Otton and they could get by
That and the GM likes the draft
Good luck with that.
If LA will pick up some of the salary, that’s probably a fair ask. Still, with the injury history Kupp has, I’m not sure anyone is going to be overly anxious to meet it.
The Rams are asking for a way big overpay for Kupp…he’s injury prone and old…..best days are behind him….they’re just throwing a line in the water and seeing who may bite….lol
His best days were one season. He’s been a decent 2 for another two seasons. He’s a year younger than hop, without the track record
Yeah Rocky he sure looked old and on his way out tonight LOL
Yes Dodger homer….5/51….with a TD in a game where the Rams are trying to showcase him….really TORE IT UP…..well worth a 2nd round choice in your alternate universe…..
Kupp has 2 1000 yard receiving seasons, dhop has 7 lol. Hopkins had one last year, kupp had one 5 years ago
What teams would be in on Kupp? Pittsburgh? Baltimore? Would either would part with a 3rd?
Patriots and commanders come to mind. So does Steelers and titans which just lost Hopkins
Patriots are done….rumors are that they are really close to firing their HC so any additions are off the table……especially a wide receiver who has seen his better days 2-3 years ago…..
Pats are one of the last teams in the league that would be interested in Cupp. They’re rebuilding. They need as many draft assets as they can get. They don’t need an old, injury prone WR. Pats should be trading players *away*, not acquiring them.
They’re an option
Niners Def would, and he would look good in that offense, but dudes had one great year, and another decent year. Seeing a what hop got why would anyone give anything other than a 5th?
Patriots have the money. So do commanders. This could get interesting haha
NO way on the Pats for the reasons I cited above….HC going possibly and a WR who’s over the hill and injury prone coupled with a rookie QB aren’t going to save their season or the HC’s job…..
They have no stand out Wars and a new franchise QB. Kupp would make tons of sense plus solid cap space too
Kupp makes zero sense for the Pats. Like, literally none. This is a tank year and they’re rebuilding.
They aren’t rebuilding completely. New coach and new QB after playoff drought. Left doesn’t believe in rebuild lmao look at Mac jones
Pats are currently lined up to have the #1 overall pick next year (per tankathon). I do not see how adding an aging and injury prone WR and giving up draft assets to acquire him makes any sense. They need to be trading older vets away and acquiring picks, not the other way around.
I agree with you on Washington, though. It’s a perfect spot for any vet WR.
Commanders have cap too. I think patriots are reBOOTING not reBUILDING. They weren’t even huge sellers in the offseason
Kupp to the Lions or Ravens would be dangerous come playoff time. I would expect one or the other to be his ideal destination.
Reuniting with Goff would be pretty cool ngl
The 49ers injuries/stumbles have made this division wide-open, thus the Rams would be better off keeping Kupp.
Commanders, maybe. Judging by how the Rams played last night I can’t imagine any receiver is traded. They’ll probably be 7-5 before you know it.