Despite firestorm of Rams rumors, 3 unshakeable reasons why Kupp returns

The LA Rams are pivoting from 2024 to 2025, as all 30 teams that are not competing in Super Bowl LIX have done. It's the time to revisit the past to glean all lessons about what went wrong and what went right and try to apply those lessons to reforming the Rams roster in the hope of creating a championship team. One of the first tasks towards creating a new and improved roster is shedding salary cap space to allow the shopping spree that happens when the 2025 NFL Free Agency market opens for business.

Per OTC.com, the Rams are projected to have $38.3 million in available salary cap space with 56 players under contract. Per Spotrac.com, the Rams are projected to have $36.7 million in available salary cap space, again with 56 players under contract. Compared to the thin or absence of salary cap space in recent years, the team is one leg up on its past track record.

But even with $30+ million in available fund to spend, that really doesn't go as far as you might think. The cost of elite NFL players goes up each year, and that means that the spending power of cap space does not stretch nearly as far as in the past.

Rams rumors are heating up

The LA Rams offense is projected to spend nearly $80 million, or nearly 2.5 times their available cap space, on veteran QB Matthew Stafford and WR Cooper Kupp. While both are projected to be back on the team in 2025, there are reasons to put both players in question. For Stafford, he took some time to consider his options,

But for Kupp, the only question is whether the team can afford to spend $30 million on a wide receiver who averages suiting up for 11 games a season over the past three seasons. That has severely limited his production to just over 750 receiving yards per season and six receiving touchdowns per year.

That's nothing to sneeze at. But it's a far cry less than the $30 million price tag. That widening gap of price to production value has fueled a string of Rams rumors suggesting that Cooper Kupp will either be traded or outright released by the team:

But rumors drive clicks, clicks drive views, and views in the offseason drives revenue. Did NFL speculators and analysts drive to quickly to a non-story? Or

III - Kupp is still productive, just in a specific role

The LA Rams swiss army knife role for WR Cooper Kupp may be sunsetting. But that only means that the team will need to shrink the range of roles for Kupp to something a bit more manageable. The offense touts the versatility of its wide receivers that are capable of blocking, running, receiving, and putting up yards after the catch. While Kupp's age and fragility may limit his ability to block defensive ends going forward, he can still catch passes.

In two playoff games this year, he hauled in six of eight passes for 90 yards. That allowed the offense to move the chains four times for first downs.

Clutch performers cannot be coached up. NFL wide receivers might be able to catch footballs, but not with a game on the line. Cooper Kupp has proven time and time again to have nerves of steel in crucial moments of the game. Shed that quality at your own risk.

II - Kupp continues to be strong leader to younger wide receivers

It was clear that after rookie WR Puka Nacua's record-setting 2024 season, he did not sit on his laurels. He sought out veteran Cooper Kupp to take him under his wing and help train him to evolve even further in his NFL career. The results may have been a bit deferred by injuries, but the presence of both Kupp and Nacua on the football field is undeniably positive for this team and offense.

The trick now is how to manage Kupp's role to allow for a full season of production.

On the other hand, let's talk about character, leadership, passion, and all of the traits that NFL GMs seek in their players. Cooper Kupp has never been the guy to sit out of training camp demanding better pay. He is not a guy who refuses to return punts, block defensive linemen, or any other 'other duties as assigned' for this team. He is a willing contributor, always ready to give his all.

The Rams need that type of veteran wide receiver on the roster. Perhaps now more than ever, the team must rework the offense into a complementary component to enhance the surprisingly effective defense. The best way for that to happen is to have Kupp in the locker room and on the football field.

I - Stafford and Kupp are a pair of aces

I'd love to tell everyone that the Rams offense will be just fine in the next chapter. Let's be honest with ourselves, a 37-year-old starting quarterback named Matthew Stafford, and his trusty 32-year-old sidekick, wide receiver Cooper Kupp, are not going to play football forever. Even now, as Stafford has decided to return to the NFL for 2025, the front office has to be working overtime to find their next quarterback.

Stafford is a tough act to follow.

Still, the team understands two things about Stafford. His overall 'wow,' factor may be diminishing, but even as the sun sets on his NFL prime years, he is still a wily veteran who is dangerous in the pocket. And while Cooper Kupp may not be cranking out 100 receiving yards like clockwork, he is still a go-to guy in the clutch.

In two games against a young dynamic Philadelphia Eagles secondary in 2024, Kupp managed to haul in 13 of 18 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. While not exactly 350 yards and four touchdowns, it remains a solid performance against a Super Bowl competitive defense. In the end, that is what we have to use as the yardstick to measure his performance.

The Rams may not view Kupp's current level of performance on par with a $30 million payout in 2025, and I don't blame them. But the window is closing on the team. 2025 should be a year with this team in the queue for another shot at the Lombardi Trophy. Stafford and Kupp deserve to be on the roster for that opportunity.

As always, thanks for reading.

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