The Los Angeles Rams have knowledgeable Cooper Kupp that they plan to “seek a trade immediately” and can work to search out the correct scenario, based on the star receiver himself. It’s an anticipated transfer given the rumors this previous season, nevertheless, for followers it’s nonetheless surprising none the much less.
“I used to be knowledgeable that the staff shall be looking for a commerce instantly and shall be working with me and my household to search out the correct place to proceed competing for championships. I don’t agree with the choice and at all times believed it was going to start and finish in LA.
Nonetheless, if there’s one factor that I’ve discovered over time: there are such a lot of issues which might be out of your management, however it’s the way you reply to those issues that you’ll look again on and keep in mind.
I’ve taken a lot delight in taking part in alongside my teammates for the LA group, so thanks for embracing my household and making this such a particular place for us.
2024 started with probably the greatest coaching camps of my profession. Preparations begin now for 2025. Extremely motivated, as wholesome as ever, and looking out ahead to taking part in elite soccer for years to return. Love you guys…However coming for all of it.”
Kupp has been a staple of LA’s receiver room ever since his arrival in 2017. He was drafted out of Jap Washington within the third spherical of Sean McVay’s first draft with the staff. Kupp impacted the Rams instantly, totaling 62 receptions, 869 yards and 5 touchdowns as a rookie and it solely received higher from there.
I used to be knowledgeable that the staff shall be looking for a commerce instantly and shall be working with me and my household to search out the correct place to proceed competing for championships. I don’t agree with the choice and at all times believed it was going to start and finish in LA.
Nonetheless, if there’s… pic.twitter.com/XWmbGVscGy
— Cooper Kupp (@CooperKupp) February 4, 2025
Little doubt his spotlight season with Los Angeles got here in 2021, the place Kupp would win the NFL’s receiving “triple crown” title, main the league in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947) and receiving touchdowns (16). Kupp would win offensive participant of the yr on his strategy to his first ring in Tremendous Bowl LVI, in addition to the Tremendous Bowl MVP award.
Picture by Steph Chambers/Getty Pictures
Sadly, hamstring accidents derailed Kupp after his championship season. He struggled to get on the sector in 2022, taking part in in solely 9 video games. This pattern would proceed, as he missed chunks of coaching camp in 2023 and 2024 as a result of harm, whereas taking part in in solely 12 video games every of the final two seasons.
The emergence of WR Puka Nacua additionally didn’t assist Kupp, as he noticed his taking part in time dwindle away as Nacua took over as the point of interest of the offense. Whereas Kupp continues to be an efficient wideout in each the passing and run blocking recreation, his $29.78 million greenback cap hit heading into 2025 was simply to a lot of a price ticket for Los Angeles given the shortage of manufacturing and availability the previous few years.
The Rams will now have to work on discovering his substitute, both by the draft or free company. Fortunately, there are some respectable choices with the likes of Tee Higgins, Chris Godwin and Keenan Allen doubtlessly changing into obtainable come March. Even so, nobody can deny that Kupp being traded is a serious lack of management and continuity within the locker room, and that could be more durable to exchange than any kind of on-field manufacturing.
