A report indicating the Rams are making calls to groups on Cooper Kupp can have been overstating how interested the NFC West franchise is in moving its top Los Angeles 2.0-era wide receiver. Kupp’s name stays in trade rumors, however the Rams can have a price floor.
Tuesday’s report pointed to the Rams targeting a second-round pick to the purpose they might be willing to pay a few of Kupp’s salary to secure such a return. Thursday, SI.com’s Albert Breer said (during a Wealthy Eisen Show appearance) teams are calling the Rams on Kupp. So as to move the previous All-Pro and Super Bowl MVP, Breer adds the Rams need a return that outflanks what the Raiders received for Davante Adams.
The teams still looking for WR help have undoubtedly noticed the Rams’ early-season struggles, resulting in inquiries about Kupp. We heard before the Rams’ win over the Raiders that Kupp had drawn trade interest, but because the receiver prepares to return tonight together with Puka Nacua, his current team might be not committed to selling just yet. The Rams travel to Seattle following their Vikings matchup; their next two results could determine how willing they’re to sell.
It cost the Jets a conditional third-round pick to accumulate Adams from the Raiders. Las Vegas could have upped that, in all likelihood, had a mandate not been in place for an acquiring team to choose up all of Adams’ prorated 2024 base salary. The Jets did so and agreed on terms that might send a second-rounder to the Raiders if certain conditions are met. Adams is unlikely to satisfy the conditions, as he would want to earn first- or second-team All-Pro acclaim (in a season that has already featured three missed games) or he would want to suit up for an AFC championship game.
If the Rams enter serious Kupp trade talks, they might probably must pay a large portion of his base salary to net a second-rounder. Just lower than $9MM stays on Kupp’s 2024 base salary. Though, he’s due $5MM in 2025 guarantees, presenting one other complication here. The Rams have Kupp signed through 2026 via the three-year, $80.1MM extension agreed to months after his triple-crown season concluded. As they may regroup and hope the 31-year-old goal can stay healthy. In the event that they are to maneuver on now, Breer notes teams have been informed the worth will have to be higher than Adams’.
While Adams has never matched Kupp’s dominance from 2021, the previous Packers and Raiders standout has been way more consistent. Kupp has put together just two 1,000-yard seasons, with injuries consistently interfering. Kupp has an ACL tear (2018) on his medical sheet, and he underwent tightrope surgery to repair an injured ankle in 2022. Kupp saw a hamstring specialist as a result of a nagging issue that delayed his 2023 debut and has only played in two games as a result of an ankle malady this season. This health history, even with the Rams taking up loads of base salary, will give teams pause on Kupp as a hired gun.
Answerable for the second-best receiving yardage season in NFL history, Kupp added 478 yards and 6 touchdowns within the 2021 playoffs. Only Larry Fitzgerald (2008) has bettered that yardage figure in a single postseason, with Kupp passing Hakeem Nicks‘ strong 2011 work. Kupp’s dominance that yr has increased his standing in L.A., with Breer posits the optics of giving up Kupp for a third- or fourth-round return may factor into this Rams equation.
It’s going to be interesting to see if the Rams drop their price or if this truly is a “take it or leave it” situation for a player who was a part of Sean McVay‘s first draft class. The Chiefs discussed Kupp with the Rams before adding DeAndre Hopkins for a conditional fifth. The Rams have an additional week to find out their sales path, with this yr’s deadline being moved to Nov. 5.
