As the NFL barrels toward the November 5 trade deadline, the action is already heating up, and the latest big name swirling in rumors is none other than Cooper Kupp. The Los Angeles Rams' standout wide receiver could soon be on the move, joining the likes of Davante Adams and Amari Cooper in what's already been a wild wide receiver market.
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According to reports from NFL Media, teams have started reaching out to the Rams, gauging what it might take to land the former Super Bowl MVP. And now, The Athletic is adding fuel to the fire, reporting that the Rams have been proactive in trade talks, offering up Kupp with a willingness to eat some of his 2024 salary. The asking price? A second-round pick.
That might sound reasonable for a player of Kupp's caliber, but the financials aren't exactly simple. Kupp carries a base salary of $15 million this season and has a whopping $29.7 million salary cap hit. Throw in a $7.5 million roster bonus and future cap hits around $20 million annually through 2026, and it's clear why the Rams are open to doing some salary gymnastics to get a deal done.
Still, when Kupp is healthy, he's one of the best in the game. A guy who led the league in catches, yards, and touchdowns in 2021. That's not just rare air; that's Hall of Fame-type production.
He was a key piece in the Rams' Super Bowl win and took home MVP honors in the big game. But injuries have been a concern. This season, Kupp's been dealing with a high ankle sprain, though he's expected back for Week 8 against the Vikings.
If he returns in form, teams could find themselves drooling over the possibility of adding Kupp for a playoff push. For contenders with a receiver-sized hole on their roster, Kupp could be the guy who tips the scales. Whether the Rams actually pull the trigger remains to be seen, but it sure sounds like the phones are buzzing in LA.
