After failing to find a trade partner for Cooper Kupp, the Los Angeles Rams decided to release the franchise icon and give him a chance to choose his next team.
It marked the end of an era as Kupp had been with the team since 2017 when he was selected in the third round of that year’s NFL Draft.
Kupp solidified himself as one of the greatest wide receivers in franchise history behind some incredible seasons, including 2021 when he won the receiving triple crown and helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI. He was named Super Bowl MVP to cap off arguably the best season ever for a receiver.
The Rams opted to designate Kupp’s release as a post-June 1 cut, which will free up $15 million in cap space after that point, via ESPN’s Adam Schefter:
Rams now officially have released WR Cooper Kupp. They are designating Cooper Kupp as a post-June 1 cut, keeping his $29.78M cap hit until June. At that point, they will take on dead cap hits of $14.78M in 2025 and $7.48M in 2026 while creating $15M in cap space.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2025
With the Rams releasing Kupp and designating it as a post-June 1 cut, the dead cap charge will be $14.78 million in 2025 and $7.48 million in 2026.
That will give L.A. some wiggle room to continue signing free agents and their draft picks. The Rams have already been quite active in free agency and most notably signed All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams, who is essentially replacing Kupp.
After releasing Kupp, the Rams posted a tribute video on social media that highlighted his achievements with the team. Kupp also took to social media to post his own video celebrating his time with the Rams.
Cooper Kupp signs with Seahawks
Not long after being released by the Rams, Cooper Kupp joined his hometown Seattle Seahawks on a three-year, $45 million contract in free agency.
Kupp drew interest from several teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, but chose to stay on the West Coast and will now be part of a new-look Seahawks squad that recently signed Sam Darnold to be their starting quarterback.
Even if he isn’t the triple crown receiver he once was, Kupp can still be productive while also serving as a leader in the locker room and a valuable mentor to young players.
Unfortunately for the Rams, they will now have to face Kupp twice a season with him staying in the NFC West.
