The Los Angeles Rams‘ season has not gone anywhere near according to plan, both with star players navigating injuries, and while limping out of the gate to a 2-4 start through the first six games of the 2024 campaign. Big changes could be on the way.
In a surprising turn of events, even for a franchise navigating an underachieving start, star wide receiver Cooper Kupp’s name has emerged as a potential trade chip, with reports suggesting the Rams could look to move on from the 31-year-old ahead of the November 5 NFL trade deadline.
According to The Athletic’s Diana Russini, the Rams are hoping to receive a second-round pick in exchange for Kupp.
Super Bowl Contenders Eyeing Cooper Kupp Trade
Cupp is one of the more consistently reliable playmakers at the receiver position across the league, catching 585 passes for 7,213 yards with 52 touchdowns through his first eight seasons.
It isn’t a surprise that several potential Super Bowl contenders have been linked to potentially making a move for Kupp.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have been shopping the wide receiver market for the past several weeks, particularly after losing Rashee Rice with Marquise “Hollywood” Brown sidelined for at least the regular season.
However, given that Kansas City only has just $4.15 million in cap space this season, and given that Kupp is due $29.8 million against the cap in 2025 and $27.33 million in 2026, the Chiefs may not have the spending flexibility to make a serious run at Kupp without making some significant moves to restructure the deals of some of the star players on the roster.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh has been actively looking to add help at wide receiver dating back to the summer, continuing through efforts to trade for Davante Adams and Amari Cooper in recent wees.
After making the switch at quarterback from Justin Fields to Russell Wilson, head coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers could pull out all the stops to land another reliable receiver opposite George Pickens to elevate the passing offense. Since Fields remains on his rookie deal, and the Steelers are effectively paying Wilson the veteran minimum, Pittsburgh has more financial flexibility than most contenders to get involve din a possible Kupp trade.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Monday night was a disastrous loss for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and not just because of the outcome on the scoreboard.
Pro Bowl wide receiver Chris Godwin was lost for the remainder of the season, if not longer, after dislocating his ankle in the game’s final moments, and All-Pro Mike Evans suffered a hamstring injury that could sideline him through Tampa’s Week 11 bye. As Forbes points out, the Buccaneers could be an ideal destination for Kupp. Kupp would keep the Buccaneers’ window in the NFC South propped open, and be an insurance policy on Godwin not returning in 2025, as he enters unrestricted free agency.
