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How Cooper Kupp's return could create far-reaching impacts to the Rams roster

Cooper Kupp's return is a huge boon to the LA Rams roster. But, it will trigger some less-than-positive impacts as well.

By Bret Stuter

May 28, 2024; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) during OTAs at the team training facility at California Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
May 28, 2024; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) during OTAs at the team training facility at California Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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Two games in five days may be too aggressive

The first area of concern is the fact that the Rams play two NFL games in five days. Of course, hosting both games at SoFi Stadium is an advantage. But, can the team truly expect Kupp to return from a high ankle sprain, and subject himself to two games in five days?

  • Week 7, Oct. 20: Las Vegas Raiders | 1:05 p.m. | CBS
  • Week 8, Oct. 24: Minnesota Vikings | 5:15 p.m. | (Thursday Night Football) - Amazon Prime Video | 
  • Week 9, Nov. 3: at Seattle Seahawks | 1:25 p.m. | FOX
  • Week 10, Nov. 11: Miami Dolphins | 5:15 p.m. | ESPN

If the Rams are wise, and govern the workload for Kupp in Week 7, it's doable. But that is not something fans can count on. You see, when it comes to Kupp, the offense seems to be rather addicted to running the offense through him.

Let's be clear, the Rams targeted Cooper Kupp 27 times in just two games. After five games, only TE Colby Parkinson has more targets (32). Kupp caught 18 of those passes. After five games, only TE Colby Parkinson (19) and rookie WR Jordan Whittington have matched or exceeded that mark. After five games, veteran WR Tutu Atwell leads the team in receiving yards (281 yards) while only catching 17 passes.

My point is: Don't expect QB Matthew Stafford to keep everyone involved in this offense.

So far in 2024, Cooper Kupp has averaged nine receptions and 13.5 targets per game. Unless the offense reduces their rate of targeting Kupp, (and I don't think it happens), he will be burned out after Week 8.

The problem lies in who does the head coach and starting quarterback trust? After all, in Super Bowl LVI, the Rams offense was almost exclusively QB Matthew Stafford throwing to Cooper Kupp after Odell Beckham Jr. fell to injury. While that chemistry allowed the team to win their first Lombardi Trophy for the city of Los Angeles, California, it created a nearly-addictive reliance upon Kupp in the offense afterwards.

And Kupp's inability to stay healthy enough to play week-in and week-out has derailed the offense in the past three seasons.

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