NFL trade rumors: Cooper Kupp deal discussed by Chiefs, Rams before Hopkins moves | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

While the Kansas City Chiefs were in the process of finalizing a trade for DeAndre Hopkins, they also had discussions with the Los Angeles Rams about Cooper Kupp in their quest to fill their void at wide receiver.

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Chiefs and Rams discussed a deal for Kupp that didn’t materialize because Kansas City didn’t want to give up a high draft pick and needed a trade partner willing to fork over a “large chunk” of the proceeds to eat. the player’s salary.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Chiefs will send a fifth-round draft pick that could become a fourth-rounder for Hopkins to the Tennessee Titans.

Kupp’s name was a surprising addition to the rumor mill leading up to the November 5 trade deadline.

Russini, Michael Silver and Jourdan Rodrigue reported Tuesday that the Rams called teams to let them know Kupp was available and that they would be willing to eat some of his remaining salary, but in return they wanted a second-round pick.

The news didn’t seem to surprise Kupp when he was asked about it during practice on Tuesday:

“I’m aware of it, but at the end of the day I mean I’m going to be where my feet are. That’s all I know. I have a job to do here. And I take a lot of pride in giving everything I can for the guys in this building and to be able to go out on the field knowing that I prepared as best as I could. And for seven and a half years I’ve been an LA Ram and I’ve taken that approach every day And whatever’s out there that happens, I have to control what I can control. And right now that means being the best LA Aries I can be.

While there was nothing to indicate the Rams would want to move on from Kupp, it stands to reason that they would at least explore it if someone wanted to meet their asking price.

Kupp is 31 years old and has missed significant time in each of the past three seasons. He signed for the 2026 season with salaries of $12.5 million and $14.9 million after this year, but only $5 million is guaranteed left on his contract through 2025.

The Super Bowl LVI MVP has missed the past four games due to a high ankle sprain. Head coach Sean McVay told reporters that Kupp is expected to play against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night, but he may not have a full workload at this time.

Kupp missed the final eight games of the 2022 season due to a high ankle sprain. He sat out five games in 2023 due to a hamstring injury.

While the Chiefs needed to make a move for a wideout, Kupp’s salary and injury history likely made him too risky for them. When you combine that with the reported asking price the Rams are aiming for, it didn’t make sense to go that route.

Hopkins, with the exception of a two-year stretch from 2021 to ’22 where he played 19 of a possible 34 games, has been one of the most durable receivers in the NFL throughout his career. He hasn’t missed a game since joining the Titans before the start of the 2023 season.