Although this offseason may not see the volume of wide receiver contracts 2024 brought, a number of high-profile wideouts are either available in trades or in free agency. None of those options has put together a season like Cooper Kupp‘s top showing, but injuries have prevented the Rams standout from building on that triple-crown slate.
Three years after the Rams gave Kupp a new deal in the wake of his Super Bowl MVP award, he has let it be known the team is ready to move on. Days before the legal tampering period will begin receiver dispersal, Kupp remains a Ram. He is due a $7.5MM roster bonus late next week, and Les Snead has established that point as a loose deadline of sorts.
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Snead said Kupp’s bonus date will serve as a deadline for a resolution, via the Orange County Register’s Adam Grosbard. The longtime Rams GM said Kupp could remain a Ram but made clear (via ESPN.com’s Sarah Barshop) that is the “least likely option.” Day 5 of the 2025 league year (which starts March 12) serves as Kupp’s bonus date, and Snead confirmed (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter) the Rams are still looking for a trade partner.
The Rams have let it be known they are willing to take on salary and help another team with the bonus, as they attempt to increase the injury-prone pass catcher’s trade value. The Rams were on the other end of such an effort in 2021, when they sent the Broncos second- and third-round picks for Von Miller. Kupp will not bring a similar return, but the Broncos’ willingness to pay most of Miller’s money increased the trade cost. If the Rams do not eat any money in a deal (which seems highly unlikely), they would take on $22.26MM in dead money. That number would likely increase if they pay down some Kupp salary.
This situation resembles where the 49ers were with Deebo Samuel, whom the Commanders acquired for only a fifth-round pick. Teams waiting the Rams out would put them to a decision. Cutting Kupp would seemingly be in play here. If Kupp is released, he would join a flock of 30-something standouts in free agency. Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen, DeAndre Hopkins and Tyler Lockett are available. Adams and Lockett, as street free agents, can sign anywhere before free agency starts Monday. For now, Kupp must join the other Pro Bowl-level stalwarts in waiting.
The Rams have not discussed a pay cut with Kupp, Snead confirmed. That would be an interesting option, but absent that, the prospect of the eight-year vet being released would stand to increase. Kupp is going into an age-32 season, which does not separate him from that above-referenced FA contingent. Several teams will be able to fill needs for a No. 2 target, but will one give up an asset to ensure it lands Kupp when turning to free agency would yield a similar player without any draft cost?
At the Combine, Sean McVay did not slam the door on keeping Kupp but called it the “hardest decision” to decide to make him available. Two years still remain on the three-year, $80MM extension. McVay said (via The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue) the Rams will look to free agency, the trade market and the draft for a replacement to complement Puka Nacua.