No Cooper Kupp trade partner has emerged. The Rams are moving on via release, NFL.com’s Tom Pelisseso reports. Releasing Kupp after the start of the 2025 league year (3pm CT today) will allow for a post-June 1 designation.
This will make Kupp a first-time free agent, and although no trade materialized, Kupp will generate FA interest, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo adds. At least three teams have known interest, Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager notes. The Packers should be a team to watch here, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets, mentioning the Seahawks and Titans as potential fits as well. The Raiders would also be interested, per The Athletic’s Tashan Reed, though they do not appear willing to make this move without a notable discount.
Kupp will join a host of accomplished early-30-something WRs in free agency. Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper and Tyler Lockett are also available. None put together a season quite like what Kupp did in 2021, though his injuries since will limit his market. Kupp’s availability also stands to affect the above-referenced wideouts’ markets, as it is becoming crowded at receiver in free agency. Diontae Johnson joins this cast, but the veteran starter’s complicated 2024 has tanked his stock.
The Rams will be on the hook for a $5MM Kupp salary guarantee this year and prorated signing bonus money in 2025 and ’26. They will, however, avoid a $7.5MM roster bonus by moving on now. Kupp was due a $12.5MM base salary in 2025. The Rams can split the $22.26MM dead money bill over two offseasons with a post-June 1 designation. That expected move will create $15MM in 2025 cap savings.
Kupp, 31, said Sean McVay told him he would be traded shortly after the season. The former triple-crown winner made the Rams’ intentions public, indicating he was out after eight seasons. Although the Rams were willing to eat salary in a trade, teams waited them out and will determine FA proposals. Les Snead said Kupp’s $7.5MM bonus, which was due in a few days, served as the deadline for a decision and never made it sound like a ninth season together was in the cards.
Between the time the Rams informed Kupp he would be out of the picture soon and the actual release transpiring, the team signed Davante Adams. The three-time All-Pro will step in alongside Puka Nacua. The Rams’ Adams contract only brings 2025 guarantees, as a 2026 cut with a bit of dead money attached would be in play if that does not prove a it. Adams, however, has stayed much healthier than Kupp and has shown more consistency as a high-end receiver — even if Kupp has produced this decade’s best WR season.
The former third-round pick out of Division I-FCS Eastern Washington, Kupp made the closest push to Calvin Johnson‘s single-season receiving record. He paired 145 receptions and 16 touchdowns with the 1,947 passing yards. Kupp also trails only 2008 Larry Fitzgerald for yards in a single playoffs, having totaled 478 and six TDs — including a Super Bowl LVI game-winner — to help the Rams to a title. Significant injury trouble intervened in the years that followed, as ankle and hamstring maladies kept him off the field for 18 games over the past three seasons.
The Rams had given Kupp two extensions, with the second coming less than two years after the first. Kupp agreed to a three-year, $47.25MM extension in 2020 — after he had bounced back from a 2018 ACL tear with a 1,000-yard 2019 — and he inked a three-year, $80.1MM deal months after Super Bowl LVI.
Kupp ultimately could not deliver on the second payday, though he still showed he has starter-level form in his tank. He posted 710 receiving yards and six TDs in 12 games last season, though the team did not turn to him much down the stretch. We will soon find out how other clubs value him, especially on a crowded market.
He still has something left in the tank. Maybe Buffalo?
After paying Shakir and obtaining Palmer for three years I highly doubt bills. Top of my head he’s a solid depth piece for giants to pair up with Nabers and possibly catch passes from Russ or Aaron Rodgers
Another team that comes to mind is the barren wasteland saints who need all the WR weapons they can get but are still in cap purgatory
Honorable mentions: Falcons(a lot of former rams coaching staff and offensive minds with falcons) & maybe the Titans again another empty WR threat room minus Ridley
I would assume at this stage of his career he’d gladly be a situational WR on a legit contender. He’s definitely not a WR1, but he could be a valuable 3 on a contender for a modest contract.
I agree. Falcons are a soft reboot contender for at least playoffs. Titans could use him highly as a bridge so he gets paid a little more in 2026 depending on performance
And also he does already have a ring maybe he just wants to go somewhere where he can play and not suck as a team show off he still has it. Falcons matches that
The best fit would be the Chiefs to work the middle of the field and take pressure off of Kelce , which in return keep him fresh for the post season . But they won’t do it
Packers need to make a move at WR. Amari or Kupp would fit.
Not Amari- he disappears in games of importance
Dear Patriots,
This guy is washed. Please look at our current WRs, who can help our future, and not at this guy. Let’s find out what we have.
Sincerely,
Patriots Fans Everywhere
Fellow Pats fan here, disagree. Agree that the WR room has some guys worth developing but it is sorely missing a proven guy who can mentor the young guys. Boutte getting tips from Kupp isn’t a bad thing and it would help Drake immensely.
Fair. Good point about mentoring. Pats have a bunch of 2s and 3s, and adding another is a bad idea. But very fair point about the mentoring part. Maybe there’s room for him as a mentor – I just don’t want him taking away targets.
There are no 2s on that team
The current group of guys are all WR3 and 4s
Do you want Maye to leave after his rookie contract is up?
Not sure if Adams is really an upgrade over Kupp
You’re not serious with that comment are you…..given Adams last season with the up and down Jets, there is a tremendous gap between the two….Adams still has lots left in the tank while Cupp hasn’t played a full season since 21, and has had decreasing production since too……
I’m with Rocky on this one.
Seahawks need to sign him. Can fill the DK and Lockett holes. Also Cooper is home grown state talent. Pride of Yakima WA.
I have them taking Egbuka or Golden
Certainly could still add Kupp tho especially if they’re willing to overpay a little
I agree I do see a pick in Draft. JSN has become the star and number 1, need some complements.
At this stage in his career he could never fill anything close to what DK is, filling in for Lockett would even be a stretch.
I would agree butvhe fills the holes in the position.
I think Cupp would blow the 49 catches, 600 yards and 2 TDs that Lockett put up, out of the water.
Hearing that Steelers aren’t out on Kupp despite adding DKM
Sam…first of all when you day nobody put a season together like Cupp in 2021…that, as far as football is a lifetime ago…..nobody is going to pay him forward for what he did 4 seasons ago…he, like all the 30+ receivers can/will hook on with some team if they are realistic about salary…..
He won’t be leaving LA, as the Chargers will sign him.
@msqboxer. About to say he doesn’t even need to move lockers.
Shared stadium but different club offices/practice sites. Rams in Woodland Hills, Chargers in El Segundo.
@chuckynj. I know was talking about the stadium. Chargers have been quiet on WR, they need one. Makes me wonder if they’ve been waiting for his release. Like go braves said 1/15 with incentives should work. Plus he’s probably someone that can help mcconkey out have similar styles.
Steelers should sign him and trade Pickens for draft capital. The change in locker room character would be welcome and needed!
If I were him I’d sign a 1/15 million type deal rebuild my stock and get a payday.