Los Angeles Rams News & Rumors

Two weeks ago, the Rams were hoping to have star receiver Cooper Kupp back by this weekend. Unfortunately, after a week of limited participation in practice, Kupp was held out once again today. According to ESPN’s Sarah Barshop, though, head coach Sean McVay expects Kupp back in time for this Thursday’s matchup against the Vikings.

Kupp, 31, sustained an ankle injury during the second quarter of the Rams’ loss to the Cardinals in Week 2, and he has been sidelined ever since. He was initially mentioned as an injured reserve candidate, but subsequent reports indicated that he would avoid IR. The decision to keep Kupp on the active roster naturally led to optimism that he would be back on the field sooner rather than later. That optimism grew when it became clear that he would not require surgery on the affected ankle.

After his dominant 2021 season, in which he led the league in receptions (145), yards (1,947), and receiving touchdowns (16) and took home Super Bowl MVP honors, Kupp landed a three-year, $80MM extension. Unfortunately, a high ankle sprain cut the ensuing 2022 campaign short, and he opened the 2023 season on IR with a hamstring ailment.

He started off the 2024 season hot, racking up 18 catches for 147 yards and a TD in less than six quarters of play. When healthy, he and Puka Nacua represent one of the best WR tandems in the game, and there is some hope that Nacua will also be able to suit up soon, as he is now eligible to be activated off of injured reserve. The healthy and productive return of the Kupp-Nacua duo will go a long way in determining whether the Rams can reverse their fortunes and make another postseason run.

While Nacua may still need some time to recover and practice, it appears that Kupp is on the cusp of a return. Kupp’s return to the field will be well-received by an offense that has depended on Tutu Atwell, Jordan Whittington, and Tyler Johnson in recent weeks.

Two high-profile receiver trades took place this week, and Davante Adams and Amari Cooper are now off the market. Several other options at that position represent targets for contending teams, though, and Cooper Kupp is one of them.

The Adams and Cooper deals generated increased communication amongst teams for other potential trades, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network details. Among the teams receiving calls were the Rams, with contenders eyeing Kupp as a possible mid-season acquisition. It remains to be seen how interested Los Angeles will be in considering any deal sending the All-Pro to a new team for the first time in his career, but it is certainly noteworthy that suitors are gauging his market.

Kupp has been a focal point in the Rams’ passing game throughout his eight-year career, one which of course reached its peak in 2021. That Triple Crown-winning campaign saw him post 145 receptions, 1,947 yards 16 touchdowns en route to Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP honors. Injuries have been an issue since then, however, and Kupp has been sidelined since Week 2 of the current campaign with an ankle injury. The Rams expect to have him back on Sunday.

Especially with 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year runner-up Puka Nacua still out of the picture, having Kupp available for Los Angeles will provide a major boost on offense. With the team sitting at 1-4 on the year, improved performance in all areas will be needed for a postseason berth to be possible in 2024. Further losses ahead of the November 5 trade deadline could steer the Rams toward a seller’s standpoint, although even in that case moving Kupp would not be a simple process.

The 31-year-old remains attached to the extension he landed in June 2022. That pact leaves him on the books through 2026, a stark contrast to the situation for many other players (generally pending free agents) who get moved during the season. Kupp is due $20MM next year, including a $7.5MM roster bonus to be paid out in March; $5MM of the latter figure became guaranteed this past offseason. He is set to carry a $29.78MM cap hit in 2025, and that will drop to $27.33MM the following year (during which none of his base salary is guaranteed). Any acquiring team would no doubt engage in a restructure in the event Kupp were to be dealt.

The Rams’ 2024 offseason saw Aaron Donald retire, leaving them without a foundational defender. Quarterback Matthew Stafford – who, along with Kupp, remains an offensive pillar – faced questions about his future before a restructured contract was worked out. At the age of 36, though, it would not come as a surprise if Loa Angeles were to explore a succession plan soon at the quarterback spot. Committing to a youth movement would make a Kupp trade more feasible from the Rams’ perspective, but they would no doubt command a heavy price to consider one.

Even without Adams or Cooper available anymore, the likes of Christian Kirk, DeAndre Hopkins, Mike Williams, Diontae Johnson and Darius Slayton have been connected to trade talk (to one extent or another) recently. Any or all of those could be targeted by contending teams, but Kupp is on the radar of potential buyers as well. His situation will be worth watching closely.