Confirmed WR Cooper Kupp rumors make Rams team to watch at NFL Trade Deadline

The LA Rams are caught between a rock and a hard place right now. While the team's best hope to compete in the 2025 NFL Playoffs rests in getting optimal play out of veteran WR Cooper Kupp, a loss in Week 8 drops the team to 2-5 on the season. Just for comparison purposes, the team was 3-3 in 2023 before a three-game losing streak put the kibosh on their 2023 season. But a Week 10 BYE allowed the team to regroup in time to put on a winning streak and push for the playoffs.

But that was then, this is now.

Right now, the team is reportedly actively shopping All-Pro WR Cooper Kupp. WIth the NFL Trade Deadline still two weeks away, the urgency to make the highest bid for Kupp's services is still around the corner. But the Rams have already notified all interested parties that 'operators are standing by' as that deadline approaches.

And if that needed any advertisement, this Rams rumor has been confirmed by multiple sources and multiple NFL Insiders: And yes, that includes The Athletics' Rams reporter, Jourdan Rodrigue:

So there is no denying that the Rams are actively shopping Cooper Kupp as the 2024 NFL Trade Deadline approaches. The only matter is if there is any team willing to take on Kupp's salary, in part or in whole as the deadline draws near, for the asking price of a Round 2 pick.

Why such a high draft pick? The LA Rams traded away their Round 2 pick in order to move up in the 2024 NFL Draft and select Florida State Seminoles rookie prospect DT Braden Fiske. Now, with the team regrouping around completing its conversion to a young offense to match the renewed young defense, that Round 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft will be invaluable.

The Rams may be targeting a quarterback, an offensive tackle, a tight end, and multiple wide receives in the next draft.

Kansas City Chiefs found an alternate option

One of the Rams' most interested trade partners, the Kansas City Chiefs, vetted a potential trade scenario with the LA Rams but decided otherwise. The Chiefs had other options and ultimately elected to run with a trade with the Tennessee Titans.

The matter finally reached fruition when the Chiefs agreed to send a default Round 5 draft pick that can be upgraded to a Round 4 draft pick under preset conditions to the Titans, and in return emerge with a venerable veteran wide receiver named DeAndre Hopkins, who can instantly be integrated into the Chiefs offense in time to aid them in another trek to the Super Bowl:

So what happened with the Rams and Chiefs trade talks? Ah, therein lies the rub. The Chiefs were both motivated and interested, but they were unwilling to meet the Rams asking price of a Round 2 pick, even if that pick lands as the last pick of Round 2 in the 2025 NFL Draft:

As such, as is often the way, the LA Rams lost a motivated customer for the services of veteran WR Cooper Kupp. And that trade resolution between the Titans and Chiefs will surely drive down the demand and the price that the team can demand for Kupp in the near term. As a result, Rams fans may have ended up in a reprieve, if only temporarily, from the Rams rumors that a Kupp trade is imminent.

Rams rumors will persist up to the NFL Trade Deadline

The LA Rams are not out of the woods just yet. In fact, the team is likely leveraging the Thursday Night Football nationally-televised audience to place Cooper Kupp on center stage for the remaining 31 NFL teams to consider whether or not he is worth the asking price.

Yes, I am still including the Kansas City Chiefs and also tossing in the Minnesota Vikings into the mix, because the addition of Cooper Kupp could make that team a favorite to compete in Super Bowl LIX.

What is Kupp's take on the matter? Well, it's a difficult time for the NFL veteran. Kupp has enjoyed an NFL career exclusively playing for the Los Angeles Rams. That has allowed Kupp to forge roots in the community, among the coaching staff, and with his peers and teammates. And the most difficult matter facing Kupp right now is the reality that he is not in control of his fate:

So we have now heard from Cooper Kupp. We had heard from his teammate, Puka Nacua. But the reality is that the Rams have a bit of a logjam at the wide receiver position. Such is the challenge of an overstocked roster bursting with talent. To make room for young receivers like Xavier Smith, Tyler Johnson, Jordan Whittington, and even Puka Nacua to develop and realize their full NFL potential, the offense has to find ways to divert snaps and targets their way.

And so, some painful decisions have to be made. Not just for the team, but one that impacts the future of a very loyal and productive player. The worst part is, his family is getting dragged through the emotional mud right alongside him.

So which teams remain in the running? We have already listed three teams that many oddsmakers and NFL Insiders to be in the top running to trade for Cooper Kupp at the NFL Trade Deadline in two weeks' time. But this story has already been a tale of twists, turns, and cul de sacs. So let's prolong the mystery a bit longer and name three NFL teams that could be dark horses in the race to trade for Cooper Kupp:

(3) Washington Commanders

One of the most surprising teams in the NFL so far in 2024 has to be the Washington Commanders. Behind the strong throwing of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, this team has flipped the script frrom perennial NFL basement-dwellers to one of the hottest teams in the NFL. And despite boasting an offense that loves to distribute the football to almost anyone in a Commanders football jersey, the team is missing that star wide receiver who has been there, done that.

Someone like Rams WR Cooper Kupp.

The Commanders already have an excellent rushing attack, and would instantly benefit from Kupp's ability to block like a season NFL tight end. But Kupp adds swagger and panache to an offense that is already quite dangerous. His ability to pile on the yards after the catch allows rookie QB Daniels to stay in his comfort zone with high percentage passes, while threatening defenses with huge players from the line of scrimmage.

(2) Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles are another NFC East Division team that is hot on the trail of earning a berth in the 2025 NFL Playoffs. While not in as desperate of a need for additional wide receiver help, Eagles GM Howie Roseman is a savvy NFL general manager who is not above cutting off the Commanders route to roster help by cutting a deal to trade for Cooper Kupp first.

And the Eagles have a superb rushing attack as well. So they instant boost by adding Kupp to a starting 11 man offense can aid in making RB Saquon Barkley an even bigger threat to bust out a huge gain.

I would not put the Eagles out of the running. Yes, they have three solid options in WRs A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and TE Dallas Goedert. But a fourth option merely strengthens the team, adds undeniable depth, and gives this offense a player who knows the game as well as an NFL quarterback.

(1) Detroit Lions

With a record of 5-1, the Detroit Lions can boast at being the NFC Powerhouse team to beat. After taking down the Minnesota Vikings, it all appears to be smooth sailing for the Lions all the way to the 2025 NFL Playoffs. Well, until it isn't.

As well as the Detroit Lions have played in 2024, this is a young team. And young teams, and young players, can be a bit inconsistent. As the season wears on, and the stakes are raised, will the Lions be able to amplify their effort to meet the challenge? That is up to you to decide.

One way to circumvent all of that uncertainty is to infuse a familiar teammate into the Lions offense. And the most logical option for the Detroit Lions on that front is to reunite QB Jared Goff with one of his favorite weapons, WR Cooper Kupp:

The Lions do not need Kupp to catch 20 passes and put up 200 receiving yards a game. And its that lessening of his workload that makes Kupp the ideal option at the trade deadline for the Detroit Lions. Lions GM Brad Holmes knows just how effective Cooper Kupp can be on a football field, having had a part in drafting the Eastern Washington University prospect to the Rams in 2017.

Kupp is that perfectly seasoned workaholic teammate who can mentor younger receivers, produce on the football field, and infuse the habits of NFL Champions into the Lions football team. And that is exactly what Holmes is looking for, and needs, right now.

As always, thanks for reading.

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