Cooper Kupp will be back in 2025, but unsure if it will be with the Rams

At the end of every NFL season, the LA Rams front office must delve into the players who contributed more value than their contractual cost, played at their contract level, and played under their contract. While it seems like an army of swarming hornet accountants and financiers descending upon helpless players, it's a necessary exercise because there is only so much to go around.

Players who played under the value of their contracts are taking financial resources that could be spent on other players. And those other players could be the difference to competing in a Super Bowl, or just watching the television broadcast from the comfort of home.

One such player with an inflated contract price is wide receiver Cooper Kupp.

In a recent article by Bleacher Report, LA Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp is viewed as a potential cap casualty for the team this offseason. While I can't see it, their logic is not wrong. Kupp is due to create a $29.8 million salary cap hit to the team's payroll. If this were vintage Kupp, that would not be a problem. But he is 32 years old and has only played 12 or fewer games in each of the past three seasons. Over that time frame, he hasn't crossed the 1000-yard receiving-yard plateau either.

Releasing him before a March 16 date would save the team $7.5 million. After that date, his release saves the team $5 million.

Why would the team consider moving on from Kupp? Well, the offense overall is a pale shade of its former self, and Kupp was a major contributor to that offense in 2017 through 2021. Kupp is physical, productive, and versatile, a receiver who has been the trademark of a Coach McVay offense. But over time, injuries and age have begun to manifest in limited availability. Kupp gets a huge chunk of change to show up.

Only, he hasn't been able to for the past three seasons.

Kupp has recognized his reduced role in the offense in 2024. The Rams targeted WR Puka Nacua more often. And that is the first sign of a team that is prepared to go in a different direction. Kupp wants to play in 2025, but at the moment, he is uncertain if the Rams want him back.

The LA Rams have a tough task ahead. Ideally, the team would love to rework Kupp's contract and bring it back to his current level of production and availability. But that may not work for both sides. Thereto restore is also the question about Matthew Stafford's future with the team. Even as LA Rams Head Coach Sean McVay shows unwavering support for Stafford, he is weighing his future.

Kupp proved that he can still play well in tough competition and adverse conditions. Will it be enough? Time will tell. Thanks for reading.

More Rams News and Analysis