Rams calls teams on Cooper Kupp

The Rams have been waiting for the return of Kuiper Kupp And Puka Nacuawho has been playing without it for most of the season Matthew Stafford‘s top weapons. Kupp is expected in Week 8, but trade rumors surrounding the former first-team All-Pro are gaining momentum.

They have received trade inquiries ahead of the Rams’ game with the Vikings on Thursday. It was unknown if Los Angeles was willing to receive offers for Kupp, but it appears this could be a live market. The Rams are now calling up teams from former Super Bowl MVP, The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue, Dianna Russini and Mike Silver report.

Kupp is tied to a lofty three-year, $80.1 million extension — an extension that was agreed to during an offseason in which the Rams also included Stafford and Aaron Donald — but The Athletic reports that the team is willing to pay a portion of Kupp’s remaining salary, as the target in a potential trade will be a second-round pick. This would be a seismic move from a Rams team that has generally been on the buyer’s side during off-season transactions. Sean McVay‘s term of office. It would also leave Stafford in limbo, given the close bond he has formed with Kupp and the team that lost Donald to retirement this offseason.

Just under $9 million remains of Kupp’s base salary through 2024. Kupp has not fulfilled his third Rams contract as he has battled injuries each of the past three years. That would reduce his trade value, but the Rams should have a market if they are truly willing to part with the 31-year-old WR talent.

Three years ago, the Rams forwarded the Broncos second- and third-round picks Van Molenaarwho was at the time recovering from a minor injury, and saw him join Donald, Stafford, Kupp and Co. to help produce a Super Bowl title. Denver paid nearly all of Miller’s remaining 2021 salary to increase trade compensation. Now the Rams — despite beating the Raiders en route to a 3-4 mark achieved largely without Kupp and Nacua — appear willing to find themselves in a seller’s position.

That year, Stafford and Kupp formed an immediate bond that powered one of the best seasons by a wide receiver in NFL history. Kupp completed the rare triple crown by leading the league with 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdown catches. Kupp continued his brilliance in the playoffs, adding 33 more catches, 478 yards and six touchdowns to the Rams’ championship effort. Kupp’s reliability saved a team that had lost WR2 Odell Beckham Jr. in the first half, while additions dropped in the season for weeks afterward Robert Bos was lost for the season.

Despite the Rams paying Kupp and Woods in 2020, a new deal began for the ascending slot target. However, Kupp has missed 18 games since signing the extension. Ankle problems slowed him down in 2022, ending a season that also saw Stafford and Donald fall during a dismal Super Bowl title defense. Kupp started late last season due to nagging hamstring problems, but did return to play twelve games alongside Nacua. With more ankle issues plaguing Kupp this year, the Rams appear to be gauging the market.

This marks a change from last season, when the Rams got calls from Kupp, Stafford and Donald, but didn’t acquire any of the cornerstones. Donald retired at the end of the season and Stafford has been asked to run his age-36 campaign without both his top receivers and tight end. Tyler Higbee. Kupp stepped up for an injured Nacua in Week 1, totaling 14 catches for 110 yards in a loss to the Lions. He went down in Week 2, being part of an injury brigade that has significantly limited the Rams on offense.