One of the biggest reasons the Los Angeles Rams won the Super Bowl in 2021-22 was wide receiver Cooper Kupp having a historic season.
Kupp finished the regular season with 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns, leading the league in all three categories. He was just as good in the playoffs, hauling in 33 receptions for 478 yards and six touchdowns in four games en route to earning Super Bowl MVP honors.
While Kupp remains under contract with the Rams, there has been mutual interest in an extension this offseason to give him what he deserves after his incredible season.
The Rams have focused on other free agents so far this offseason, but now that a bulk of their work is done, they can turn their attention to extensions for both Kupp and Aaron Donald.
There have been a number of gigantic record-breaking contracts handed out to receivers this offseason and Kupp certainly has a case to reach those numbers if he wants. That is not what is important to him though as he just wants a fair deal, via ESPN:
“I don’t think that’s really kind of the approach that I take,” he said. “I definitely think there’s a place you want to be. There’s a place that you feel like is fair. A place for me and for this organization. … I’m not trying to beat anybody. I’m not trying to compare myself to anyone else. It’s more about being in a place that’s just right for both sides.”
Despite the ongoing negotiations, Kupp was present for the Rams’ first day of voluntary offseason workouts and he explained why:
“Well, I think it’s important to be here, be around the guys and be around this team,” he said. “The goal at the end of the day is to win a world title. Whatever is going to get us in a place where we can compete for another world title, put us in a better position where we can be a better football team, that’s the goal. I think the best thing I can do is to be a part of that …”
Kupp is one of the most selfless, team-first players in the NFL, so him saying this shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone.
Given the Rams’ lack of cap space, they have needed to get creative in a number of their contracts this offseason and they likely will do so again with Kupp and Donald.
The important thing though is that both parties share a mutual interest in getting something done, which will keep Kupp in L.A. long-term.
