If Cooper Kupp retires or moves on, the Rams could turn to Jordan Whittington
Though we have not seen much of Rams rookie receiver Jordan Whittington this season, what he’s been able to do in limited opportunities is good enough to think that there’s a lot more to see. Whittington was targeted 24 times — 23 of those coming when Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp were injured — and he’s caught 19 of those passes.
A 79% catch rate and 75% success rate is nothing to sneeze at, but could Whittington be the heir apparent to Cooper Kupp?
Sean McVay using Cooper Kupp, who is a bottom 10 WR, as a blocking tight end while Jordan Whittington sees 0 snaps is an interesting choice to say the least pic.twitter.com/rK2aUOH1X0
— Restore the Roar (@DETROlTLions313) December 31, 2024
This is not to say that Whittington has to “replace” Kupp and be a future Hall of Fame-caliber receiver. Only that if Kupp moves on in 2025, Whittington could compete to start alongside Puka Nacua and eat some of those targets from Matthew Stafford or whoever is throwing the ball next season.
The Rams would save $7.5 million if Kupp retires or is released, but $12.5 million if a team is willing to trade for him and his $7.5 million roster bonus.
There would be $20 million in savings in 2026.
In the last three games, Kupp has had these performances:
- 3 targets, 0 catches
- 3 targets, 3 catches, 24 yards
- 3 targets, 1 catch, 19 yards
It’s hardly the first slump of his career, Kupp has always been a little bit hot-and-cold, except for his 2021 Offensive Player of the Year season. But he’s also going to be 32 next season, which is just ancient for an NFL starting receiver in the modern era.
Whittington seems to fit the physical mold that L.A. usually looks for in a receiver and could match well with Kupp, but we haven’t seen much of him since October.
That changes this weekend against the Seahawks, so even if the result of the game has taken a backseat to protecting the health of the starters, Whittington has everything at stake in Week 18.
Maybe so does Kupp.