In 2022, Ben Skowronek emerged for the Los Angeles Rams as a solid receiving option, starting 11 games for the team. In 2023, however, his role was reduced immensely with the emergence of rookie Puka Nacua as well as an increased role for Tutu Atwell.
With star wideout Cooper Kupp eyeing a bounce-back season after dealing with injuries the past couple of years, not to mention veteran Demarcus Robinson giving the Rams a boost last season and looking to do the same again in 2024, Skowronek was unlikely to be a big part of the team’s plans.
As such, it had been reported that the Rams would be releasing Skowronek. However, before he was set to hit waivers, ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported that the Rams had agreed to trade Skowronek to the Houston Texans:
The Texans have traded with the Rams for WR Ben Skowronek, per sources. Before the WR hit waivers, Houston gets a trade done.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) May 9, 2024
Russini would later follow up with details on the trade, saying that the Rams and Texans agreed to a late-round draft pick swap in 2026 in the deal:
Compensation: Houston and L.A. will swap 6th and 7th rounders in 2026, per sources https://t.co/Xsw3WHzhJH
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) May 9, 2024
The move made sense for the Rams as while Skowronek was a nice depth piece in the receivers room, he didn’t figure to play a major role. With four receivers ahead of him on the depth chart, not to mention tight end Tyler Higbee, the franchise felt it was best to part ways and now Skowronek will have an opportunity to make an impact in Houston.
The Rams also drafted wide receiver Jordan Whittington out of Texas in the sixth round of this year’s draft, so there is plenty to work with as far as pass catchers go and hopefully the move is beneficial for both sides.
Rams rookie WR Jordan Whittington looking forward to learning from Cooper Kupp
Jordan Whittington is certainly looking forward to the chance to be an impact player in any way for this Rams team. The rookie understands the opportunity he has and knows he has the chance to learn from one of the best in the NFL in Cooper Kupp.
Whittington recently spoke on this, calling himself a student of the game and Kupp a ‘professor’ whom he plans on learning a lot from. He would also add that he has no problem getting ‘gritty’ in the blocking game and doing whatever the Rams coaching staff asks of him, which is a similar role to what Skowronek filled the last few seasons.
