Cooper Kupp’s future with the Los Angeles Rams organization has been murky going back to the trade deadline when reports were coming out about the possibility of dealing the star wide receiver.
The Rams wound up holding onto Kupp and made a nice second-half run to win the NFC West. But after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round, he expressed uncertainty about his future with the the team.
Kupp made it clear that he wants to keep playing and stay with the Rams, but with his drop in production, inability to stay healthy and big contract, it appears the organization is going in a different direction.
The 31-year-old took to social media on Monday evening to announce that the Rams have informed him they will try to trade him, which he doesn’t agree with:
I was informed that the team will be seeking a trade immediately and will be working with me and my family to find the right place to continue competing for championships. I don’t agree with the decision and always believed it was going to begin and end in LA.
Still, if there’s… pic.twitter.com/XWmbGVscGy
— Cooper Kupp (@CooperKupp) February 4, 2025
Trading Kupp may be easier said than done even though he is still a productive player when healthy. His salary situation was broken down by Adam Schefter of ESPN:
Now that the Rams have said they will look to trade Cooper Kupp, here is the cost: If Kupp is traded, his new team would inherit his $20 million salary in 2025 ($7.5M roster bonus + $12.5M base) and $19.85M in 2026—unless his contract is renegotiated. pic.twitter.com/pr9fV7750x
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 4, 2025
Kupp has been a model of consistency and professionalism since the Rams drafted him in the third round in 2017. His best season, of course, came in 2021 when he won the receiving triple crown and received Offensive Player of the Year honors in the regular season. Kupp then had a stellar postseason as well, bringing home Super Bowl MVP honors.
Injuries hampered Kupp the last few seasons, but at age 31, he still believes he has some good years left in him. Unfortunately, it does not appear those years will come with the Rams.
Sean McVay expresses appreciation for Cooper Kupp
Sensing that the end could be near, Rams head coach Sean McVay expressed his appreciation for Cooper Kupp.
“I think you know from our time together how much those guys have meant to me personally, professionally, and what they mean to our football team,” McVay said of Kupp and Matthew Stafford. “Like anything else, let’s let the emotions of the season die down. Let’s really sit down with ownership, with the rest of the leadership group, with our coaching staff and let’s really evaluate… alright, what’s the best thing for the Rams football team moving into 2025? I’m sure grateful and appreciative of those guys and what they’ve meant to me both personally and professionally.”
