Latest update over this lusted-over free agent could explode Cooper Kupp market

Yes, the Los Angeles Rams are moving on from veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp for a lot of different but very important reasons. It's tougher for the Rams fanbase to embrace moving on from a popular and beloved player, but this is not the first time such a parting of ways has occured. It won't be the last time the team parts ways with historically productive players either. With the heightened proliferation of Rams rumors running rampant, the team may be saying farewell to starting quarterback Matthew Stafford as well.

The team has shifted from All-Pro veterans to the next chapter of accomplished and passionate youth is at the cusp of a new chapter. Much like the team through 2017 and 2018, the Rams roster is hitching the wagon to new and less-familiar players. It may be an uncomfortable transition for Rams fans, but it's not without solid reasons and logic. Let's discuss the case of WR Cooper Kupp in terms of why the Rams view 2025 as the moment in time to part ways:

(3) - Availability

In terms of availability, often cited as the most important ability any NFL player can possess, reviewing Cooper Kupp's recent history comes up short in this all-too-important category. Let's ignore the gold standard of games played. A better illustration of this lack of availability is better reflected in the number of offensive snaps played by Kupp.

Since suiting up for 1,024 regular season offensive snaps in 2021 (Super Bowl LVI), Kupp has not come anywhere close to that level of workload:

• 2021 - 1,024 offensive snaps, 60 ST snaps
• 2022 - 530 offensive snaps, 3 ST snaps
• 2023 - 710 offensive snaps, 7 ST snaps
• 2024 - 637 offensive snaps, 2 ST snaps

All the while, Kupp has been paid as an NFL MVP over this span of time who is suiting up for all games. Clearly, that has not happened. While I'm not suggesting that a refund is due to the team, it makes little sense to continue to pour full-time pay into a part-time player's pockets.

(2) - Production

The three most productive seasons in terms of Cooper Kupp's NFL career happened from 2020 through 2022. Over that time span, Kupp hauled in 331 passes for 4,082 receiving yards and 29 receiving touchdowns. Over the past three seasons, Kupp's numbers have plummeted to 201 catches for 2,249 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. That is slightly better than 50 percent of his previous three seasons.

But the Rams offense has had to find ways to wiggle around Kupp. After all, when Kupp is on the football field, he had commanded the lion's share of looks from his friend and teammate, QB Matthew Stafford. But the offense clearly needs to reroute through different players going forward. If some Rams fans have balked at the thought of parting ways with Kupp, imagine his frustration as he realized that the offensive game plans no longer ran through him?

I suspect no matter how team-oriented he is, that realization had to cut like a knife.