The Los Angeles Rams reportedly tried to trade Cooper Kupp after their 1-4 start, and the team could continue those talks once their playoff run comes to an end. A third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Kupp and quarterback Matthew Stafford appeared to be a match made in heaven during their first year together. Dominating the league in 2021, Kupp finished the season with 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns en route to their Super Bowl victory.
Astonishingly, this was the last time Kupp eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark. Thanks to injuries and the breakout of former fifth-round pick Puka Nacua, Kupp has become something of an afterthought in the offense. During a recent interview, Kupp said he uses “prayer and meditation” to accept his reduced role and added that “there’s something wrong” with his usage.
Despite making the playoffs, Cooper Kupp is unhappy with the Rams and would welcome a trade. Set to carry a $29.78 million cap hit next year, the Rams could save up to $20 million by sending him to a team like the Los Angeles Chargers or Kansas City Chiefs.
Rams Could Trade Cooper Kupp to Chargers, Chiefs After Season
The Los Angeles Chargers Wild Card loss showed how desperate this team is for another wide receiver. While quarterback Justin Herbert didn’t play his best football, the pass-catchers seemingly went out of their way to make his life miserable. Second-round pick Ladd McConkey had a fantastic game, but every other receiver actively sabotaged the offense with drops, poor route running, and generally subpar play. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said as much, saying Herbert doesn’t deserve blame for the disappointing loss.
McConkey will be a fixture in the Chargers offense for years to come, but they must find another reliable set of hands. If they can’t sign a free agent like Chris Godwin or Tee Higgins, the Chargers could pivot and trade for Cooper Kupp. Kupp and McConkey both can move all around the formation, and a coach like Harbaugh should know how to get the most out of these two. Perhaps it’s not the most exciting duo, but it’s considerably better than what the team currently has.
More Help For Mahomes
The Kansas City Chiefs enter the postseason with three reliable wide receivers in Marquise Brown, DeAndre Hopkins, and rookie first-round pick Xavier Worthy. These three form a reliable trio, but some of them might not return in 2025. While Worthy isn’t going anywhere, Hopkins and Brown are free agents and could depart for larger contracts. Injured second-round pick Rashee Rice, meanwhile, will likely miss a sizable portion of the 2025 season while serving a suspension for his offseason car crash.
Mahomes is a phenomenal quarterback, but nobody can singlehandedly power teams to a championship. With Travis Kelce possibly retiring, Mahomes needs a proven veteran who can handle a high target share. Cooper Kupp may not ever recapture his dominant 2021, but the trade candidate should be a fit in Andy Reid’s offense. Mahomes spent the early part of the year beating defenses with short and intermediate passes, and Kupp could easily eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in this environment.
Main Photo: Joseph Rondone – USA Today Sports
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