The Los Angeles Rams are expected to have an active offseason, with finding a trade partner for Cooper Kupp at the top of their list.
The 31-year-old announced that the team will attempt to trade him in the coming weeks. Kupp made it clear that he wanted to finish his career with L.A., but the franchise has decided to go in a different direction.
Kupp, who will be 32 next season, has two years remaining on his contract, with $5 million guaranteed in 2025. If the Rams choose to just cut him this offseason, they will save about $7.52 million against the salary cap.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Rams are hoping to get back a fourth-round draft pick in a potential trade for Kupp by paying down some of his salary:
“The interesting part here is that there’s a lot of money involved, $20 million and a $7.5 million roster bonus due in the middle of March. The Rams are willing to pay some of that money. I think when you speak to people around the league, they see Keenan Allen go last year for a fourth-round pick, and they believe that Cooper Kupp is in a similar situation.”
The Los Angeles Chargers were in a similar situation last year with their star wide receiver Keenan Allen. Needing to get under the salary cap, they ultimately traded him to the Chicago Bears for a fourth-round pick.
Allen had a base salary of $18.1 million salary last year, which is more than the $12.5 million that Kupp will earn in 2025. That should make it a little easier for the Rams to find a deal for the former receiving triple crown winner.
With Kupp no longer in the picture, the Rams will rely on Puka Nacua and Jordan Whittington as their top two receivers next season.
The team could look to re-sign Demarcus Robinson, who is set to reach free agency, or add to their wide receiver group in the 2025 NFL Draft or free agency.
Matthew Stafford comments on Cooper Kupp’s departure from Rams
Matthew Stafford’s future with the Rams is also up in the air, but the veteran quarterback will likely be back with the team for a fifth season.
Stafford recently discussed how difficult it is to lose a close friend and teammate in Kupp, who has meant so much to the Rams organization.
The Stafford and Kupp pairing paid immediate dividends for the Rams as they both played big roles in the team winning Super Bowl LVI.
