Former Rams starting WR gets his revenge by signing with NFC West rival

When it comes to the LA Rams offense in 2025, prepare for a brand new look. Yes, the team is bringing back running back Kyren Williams, wide receiver Puka Nacua, and tight end Tyler Higbee. But the Rams relied almost entirely on a default 11-personnel formation. In that formation, the team sticks with one running back, one tight end, and rounds out the offense by adding WRs Cooper Kupp and Demarcus Robinson to the group.

But Cooper Kupp was released yesterday, an expected event before his March 17 roster bonus came due. And as disinterested as NFL teams have been to trade for Kupp, I project at least 10 teams will be in active pursuit of signing him once he is released. That may be a low estimate. Right now, many NFL general managers are bidding on his services.

An opposite response greeted productive but controversial veteran wide receiver Demarcus Robinson. Robinson was the leading scoring wide receiver on the Rams roster in 2024, with seven receiving touchdowns. In two seasons with the Rams, and of his 57 receptions, 11 were touchdown scores. That is a 19.3 percent scoring rate.

But he faces the potential for NFL disciplinary action in 2025 as well. After a particularly brutal loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Robinson was arrested under suspicion of a DUI. While the Rams did not suspend Robinson after the event, the NFL may impose some disciplinary action in 2025. That was enough to prompt Rams GM Les Snead to look elsewhere for wide receiver help next season.

Demarcus Robinson repeatedly implored the Rams to bring him back. It didn't happen.

Instead, Robinson agreed to a two-year deal with the Rams heated NFC West Division rivals, the San Francisco 49ers. And the contract is very team friendly, worth up to $9.5 million:

I have no doubt that if the Rams were anywhere in the ballpark, or had even made an offer, the outcome of Demarcus Robinson's future. would be far different. It's only expected that an NFL player to take the best deal available, and for Robinson, the chance to stay in California and compete in the NFC West was a solid option.

This is not a case like former TE Gerald Everett, who immediately claimed the Seattle Seahawks to be the best team he had ever been on just weeks after leaving the Los Angeles Rams. Circumstances between the Rams and Robinson simply didn't work out. And that is disappointing, but is how life works sometimes.

In the end, the Rams have to do what is best for the team. Likewise, Demarcus Robinson has to do what is best for him. That simply did not end up at the same place this time.

As always, thanks for reading.

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