Look for Cooper Kupp market to glow red-hot as soon as he is released

The Los Angeles Rams decided to part ways with veteran WR Cooper Kupp long ago. Now, all that remains is executing that plan. And that execution is painful torture, as the delays have forced everyone to face the inevitable reality. The Rams offense will simply not be able to count on Kupp for that clutch catch or that game-winning touchdown.

Per ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Rams will release veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp at some point in time at the start of the new NFL season. That moment will occur on March 12, 2025. While the team has been manning the phones to consider any reasonable trade offers, either no offers came or the offers that did come were lower than the Rams expected. In any case, with an imminent deadline, don't look for the Rams to find an acceptable trade partner in the remaining time.

The trade market for Cooper Kupp appears to have gone ice cold.

But don't think for a moment that NFL teams have turned a blind eye on Kupp. Like a flock of turkey vultures, 31 NFL teams are simply circling overhead, waiting for the Rams to release Cooper Kupp, and unshackling him from a contract that schedules him for a $7.5 million roster bonus on March 17, 2025, and a $12.5 million salary this season. You see, GMs believe that they can coerce Kupp to take less.

That's up for debate.

Like the impromptu auctions at estate sales, everyone will gather around looking to get a huge bargain. But as soon as the bidding begins, the instinctive competitive nature of bidding against other teams kicks in, and some GM will end up offering more than intended. That could push Kupp's compensation over what the Rams current contract is scheduled to pay him.

Of course, this is all speculation on my part. But based on the level of interest in Cooper Kupp expressed as hints and rumors from NFL Insiders so far, I look for a heated and robust market to instantly coalesce around Cooper Kupp at the moment of his release.

Per NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, he is skeptical of a trade for Cooper Kupp. But that is not to say that there is no interest for Kupp right now. There is simply no interest in trading for Kupp with a price tag of paying him $20 million in 2025.

Kupp is an ideal addition to almost any NFL team. Not only is he an instant contributor, but his lockerroom leadership sets a perfect example for younger receivers to follow. And his ability to mentor younger teammates is one of the lesser applauded attributes that a veteran like Kupp brings to a team. In essence, his new team gets the benefits of a player, a winner, and an auxiliary coach. That's worth having on the roster.

There is still time for some NFL team to avoid the bidding war and just ante up the cost of trading for Cooper Kupp before his release. But buyer beware. As soon as Kupp is released, he chooses his next team. And that decision will almost certainly be impacted by opportunity and compensation. Only one team will lure him to sign a new contract. If he is a key component of a team's offseason rebuild, better to trade on a sure thing than bid on an uncertain outcome.

As always, thanks for reading.

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