The Los Angeles Rams appear set to move on from Cooper Kupp this offseason as the star wide receiver announced that the organization intends to trade him.
Kupp has been a huge part of the Rams’ success since he was drafted nearly a decade ago, both on and off the field. However, it’s no secret that his play has declined in recent years due to injuries.
Head coach Sean McVay discussed the impact Kupp has made on the team and why the sides are likely to part ways this offseason. “I mean, you just said it. This guy has changed my life for the better. We’ve had eight years together,” McVay began.
“These decisions, similar to Matthew, are not made as a separate entity. These are for the team. You’re ultimately trying to put the puzzle together and with a lot of thought and consideration, we just felt like that was the best direction for our football team. It doesn’t take away the love, respect, and gratitude that you have for what he’s done, but it just came down to what we think is best in terms of putting together the whole puzzle.
“There are obviously a lot of layers to that. I think you always acknowledge the fact that… Hey, [I’ve] been wrong before and could be wrong again, but we always try to have our core values and the big picture shape our perspective and really our decision-making. It’s not easy, but I couldn’t be more impressed with the human being and how he handles some of those conversations. No matter what, his legacy is cemented as an all-time Ram and most importantly, I’m a better human for having had these eight years with him.”
The Rams restructured Matthew Stafford’s contract to keep him around for the 2025 season, but they are unlikely to do so with Kupp. “We haven’t had those types of conversations,” McVay said.
“It was more along the lines of when Les, Kevin, Tony, myself, and then obviously with communication from personnel and from the coaching staff, it was really… Alright, this is the direction that we’re going to go.
“We’ll seek a trade. We’ll take it a day at a time. I know Les has had some communication with Ryan Tollner, Cooper’s agent. I’ve had dialogue with Cooper and that’s kind of where we’re at with that.”
While the chances of Kupp playing elsewhere next season are high, Sean McVay wouldn’t completely rule out the 31-year-old returning to the Rams.
“I think I would never speak in absolutes, but I do think… let’s gather all the information. We’ll take it a day at a time and we’ll see what the next steps entail,” McVay said.
Les Snead on possibility of Cooper Kupp returning to Rams
Rams general manager Les Snead also spoke about Cooper Kupp and what he has meant to the organization with the expectation of them parting ways this offseason.
“Well, we sat down with Cooper and said this was definitely something we were going to look into based on the course of the year, especially there at the trade deadline where people were knocking on the door to see if we were willing to trade him. Moving forward, we felt like this could be a time for the next chapter for both parties. Even though obviously all the chapters up until now have been definitely very fruitful and impactful, all you can think of is this Super Bowl MVP and we wouldn’t be champions without Cooper on that field that night.”
Snead reiterated that Kupp returning to the Rams is not impossible but is the least likely scenario this offseason.
“There is a scenario, but when you get into probabilities that would be the least likely,” Snead added. “I don’t want to tell you ‘no’ today and then next week he’s a Ram. You see what we’re trying to do. We’re working to try to find a partner and a next chapter for Cooper and ourselves.”
