The Los Angeles Rams signed wide receiver Davante Adams on Sunday afternoon in a move that almost certainly signals the release of wide receiver Cooper Kupp. A third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Kupp became one of the league’s most reliable possession receivers and peaked in 2021. Paired with Matthew Stafford, the Eastern Washington product finished the season with 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns while helping Los Angeles win the Super Bowl.
Unfortunately, Kupp has never recaptured that glory. While he’s still an effective player when on the field, he hasn’t played in more than 12 games in the past three seasons. This inability to stay on the field combined with the emergence of young superstar Puka Nacua has made him expendable, and the arrival of Davante Adams all but ensures he won’t return in 2025. Head coach Sean McVay said the Rams would trade Cooper Kupp, but they might have to release him if no suitors emerge.
Nobody wants to surrender a draft pick for Cooper Kupp and his current contract, but several teams should be interested in the veteran if the Rams release him. While free agency will impact his potential landing spots, the following five teams make the most sense for the veteran.
Rams Could Release, Not Trade, Cooper Kupp After Davante Adams Signing
Possible Fits
New England Patriots
Free agency hasn’t even started yet, and the New England Patriots are already struggling to improve life for franchise quarterback Drake Maye. With Tee Higgins, Trey Smith, and Ronnie Stanley returning to their respective teams, New England cannot use their league-leading $121 million in cap space to secure an elite receiver or blocker. Instead, they must use their money to sign as many solid veterans as possible. Kupp’s age and injury history will drive down his price, but he’d still be the best receiver on this team by a wide margin. The Patriots can’t fix their offensive line in one offseason, so they should target a player whose ability to quickly get open can mitigate the effects of poor blocking.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers have a young star in second-round pick Ladd McConkey, but they need another receiver to take this team to the next level. McConkey and Cooper Kupp have similar skill sets, but that shouldn’t stop the Chargers from going after him after the Rams release the wide receiver. The right offensive coordinator will find a way to make this scheme work, as both players can align in the slot and out wide. Justin Herbert is a great quarterback, but he needs more help to overtake the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West.
Dallas Cowboys
The “selectively aggressive” Dallas Cowboys might have used up most of their spending money on the Osa Odighizuwa extension, but they could target Cooper Kupp if the Rams release him. The veteran wide receiver market is saturated, so Kupp could be willing to sign a cheap one-year deal to re-establish his value. Dak Prescott is one of the league’s better quarterbacks and CeeDee Lamb is an elite wide receiver, but this team must find someone else to siphon some targets.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs re-signed Marquise Brown, but they could still use more support in their passing game. First-round pick Xavier Worthy will not face charges for his recent arrest, but that doesn’t mean he won’t face league discipline. Ditto for second-round pick Rashee Rice, as both players could miss time next year with their respective off-field issues. Cooper Kupp is a reliable veteran whose ability to quickly get open makes him an ideal fit with the more conservative passing attack of recent years.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens tried and failed to improve their wide receiver depth chart with the Diontae Johnson trade. While the former Panther couldn’t handle a reduced role, Cooper Kupp may be a better choice for the job. While he’s used to a higher workload, he could settle in as the second or third option in this passing attack and be the missing piece that finally puts Baltimore in the Super Bowl.
Main Photo: Bill Streicher – Imagn Images
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