The Los Angeles Rams are reportedly exploring the possibility of trading Cooper Kupp.
On Tuesday, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini wrote that the Rams “have called multiple teams about trading [the] former Super Bowl MVP.”
A number of teams have shown an interest in KuppGetty
After blockbuster trades that saw Davante Adams join the New York Jets and Amari Cooper move to the Buffalo Bills, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that multiple teams started inquiring about Kupp.
One of the team’s on red alert about Kupp being on the trade block is the Kansas City Chiefs.
The reigning back-to-back Super Bowl champions are the only undefeated team in the NFL this season, having gone a perfect 6-0 to start the campaign.
This season, the Chiefs are bidding to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls. History is certainly stacked against them, but adding a player like Kupp would give their chances of pulling it off a significant boost.
It also makes sense given the Chiefs’ wide receiver room continues to take blow after blow.
Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown is out with a left shoulder issue, Rashee Rice is sidelined with a season-ending knee injury, and Juju Smith-Schuster is battling a right hamstring problem.
The likes of Xavier Worthy and Mecole Hardman Jr have stepped up in their absence, but the chance to acquire a wideout of Kupp’s immense talents — and pairing him with a quarterback like Patrick Mahomes — isn’t something that comes around too often.
The 31-year-old Kupp has a $15 million base salary for the 2024 season and is set to make $9.1 million guaranteed. He is under contract through the 2026 campaign and his cap hits are $29.78 million each of the next two seasons.
The Chiefs only have $4 million in available cap space, but the Rams have reportedly ” indicated a willingness to take on some” of his 2024 salary and is seeking at least a second-round pick in return.
If the Rams were to take on some of Kupp’s salary, it would likely increase their return in a potential trade.
When healthy he’s one of the best wide receivers in the NFLGetty
Reid and Mahomes would do serious damage with a weapon like KuppGetty
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach would have to work some signature magic to make it happen but it’s a trade Kansas City are more than capable of pulling off.
They would need to act fast though.
KC have until the November 5 trade deadline to make their move for Kupp, and would likely face stiff competition from a number of potential suitors.
The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly a sleeper team for Kupp, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers are also linked.
The Bucs have injury issues of their own at WR, most notably to Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.
The Steelers also have problems at wideout, dating all the way back to preseason when they already looked light at the position.
The San Francisco 49ers could also be an option for Kupp after Brandon Aiyuk fell to a season-ending knee injury on Sunday and Deebo Samuel recovers from a pneumonia-like illness.
News of the Chiefs’ rumored interest in Kupp made its way to fans, who think the Super Bowl three-peat is a wrap if Andy Reid manages to get his hands on the Rams man.
“Chiefs going 17-0,” posted one fan on X.
“And here come the 3x in a row SB champions,” added another.
“The NFL cannot let these guys get him bro that’s not fair,” a third complained.
Kupp enjoyed a breakout season in 2021 when he was named Super Bowl MVPGetty
Kupp led the league in receiving yards, receptions and touchdowns during a breakout 2021 season. He won the Offensive Player of the Year Award and was named the MVP of the Super Bowl after the Rams triumphed over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.
However, he has been hampered by injuries ever since and is yet to play a full season over the past three years.
He’s only played twice this season but showed he’s still elite when healthy.
He had 110 receiving yards and a touchdown in Week 1 before spraining his ankle in a Week 2 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
Kupp returned to practice last week and was listed as questionable to play in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
He ended up sidelined but is expected to feature in the Week 8 matchup with the high-flying Minnesota Vikings.
Kupp returned to practice last week after going down in Week 2Getty
Kupp was asked about the trade speculation on Tuesday when he spoke with reporters.
“I’m aware of it, but at the end of the day, I’m going to be where my feet are,” he said.
“That’s all I know. I have a job to do here, and I take a lot of pride in doing everything I can for the guys in this building and being able to step on the field knowing that I prepared the best that I can. For seven-and-a-half years, I’ve been an LA Ram and I’ve taken that approach every single day. And whatever happens outside of that, I gotta control what I can control and right now that means being the best LA Ram that I can be.”
Teammate and fellow receiver Puka Nacua also shared his thoughts on Kupp being shopped around the league.
“I hope that’s not true,” he said.
“That’s somebody in our locker room a captain & especially like being able to say somebody like I’ve grown a brother relationship with”.
The 2-4 Rams will be hopeful that Kupp’s return can turn their season around.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, will no doubt have one eye on Kupp’s performance against the Vikings as they prepare to take on the Raiders.
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