Cooper Kupp revealed that the Los Angeles Rams plan to trade him during the 2025 offseason, a decision not fully embraced within the organization. The reasoning behind this is becoming clearer as time goes on.
Kupp’s trade market has been relatively quiet, and with more potential trade candidates emerging, along with the draft and free agency approaching, the Rams may need to reassess their options for Kupp.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport shared his thoughts on March 6, suggesting that a release for Kupp seems more likely than a trade. While a trade could still happen, Rapoport believes Kupp, who won’t make his full $20 million, could be an appealing free-agent acquisition instead. He thinks a trade seems unlikely at this point.
Kupp is entering the second year of his three-year, $80.1 million deal, with a $27.8 million cap hit in 2025, $7.8 million of which is from a roster bonus. The Rams are expected to have $51.7 million in cap space, a figure that may change once final adjustments are made to Matthew Stafford’s contract.
Kupp stated that he would prefer to be traded to a competitive team. A lower acquisition cost could make him more attractive to potential suitors.
Releasing Kupp could be the Rams’ best move, according to Rapoport. The Rams might absorb some of his salary to facilitate a trade, but the question remains whether a team would still want to take him on. The Rams must weigh the cost of paying his $7.5 million against the potential draft pick they might receive in a trade.
Rams general manager Les Snead hinted that Kupp’s return to LA is unlikely, though he didn’t completely rule it out. Head coach Sean McVay echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of gathering more information before deciding the next steps.
If Kupp reaches free agency, he could attract significant interest. Spotrac predicts he could land a two-year, $21.9 million deal, which is about half of his current salary. Having had a successful career, including All-Pro honors, a Super Bowl MVP, and multiple accolades, Kupp remains a talented and motivated player. In 2024, he posted 67 receptions for 710 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season, with additional impactful plays in the playoffs.