Rams seeking to trade 'highly motivated' Cooper Kupp

Rams seeking to trade 'highly motivated' Cooper Kupp

Rams seeking to trade 'highly motivated' Cooper Kupp

LOS ANGELES -- Wide receiver Cooper Kupp has been informed by the Los Angeles Rams that they will be seeking a trade immediately, a decision he publicly disagreed with, sharing his thoughts in a statement on social media.

"I don’t agree with the decision and always believed it was going to begin and end in LA," Kupp said. He expressed that the team would work with him and his family to find the right destination for him to continue competing for championships, adding that he is "highly motivated" and healthy as he prepares for the next season.

After the Rams' loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round of the playoffs, Kupp had stated that he was "100% committed" to playing in 2025, even though he would "love to be in L.A." He acknowledged, however, that he had no control over the offseason decisions.

Kupp had a historic 2021 season, leading the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. He signed a three-year, $80.1 million contract extension after that season and has just completed the first year of that deal. His cap hit for next season is projected at $29.8 million, with $27.3 million in 2026.

Next season, Kupp’s guaranteed salary is $5 million, with no guaranteed money left on his contract in 2026. If the Rams trade him in a post-June 1 deal, they will save $20 million against their 2025 salary cap. If they cut him this offseason, the Rams would save $15 million in cash and $7.52 million against the cap. Releasing him without a post-June 1 designation would result in $22.2 million in dead money.

Kupp has spent his entire eight-season career with the Rams, after being drafted in 2017 as a third-round pick from Eastern Washington. Following the team’s acquisition of quarterback Matthew Stafford in 2021, Kupp delivered one of the best receiving seasons in NFL history, capped off by being named Super Bowl MVP after the Rams' victory over the Bengals.

While Kupp had a remarkable 2021 season, he has struggled with injuries in recent years, playing only 33 games over the past three seasons. Meanwhile, the Rams have increasingly relied on wide receiver Puka Nacua, which has made Kupp's return on his current contract unlikely.