Rams' Puka Nacua doesn't wait to respond publicly after Cooper Kupp trade news

It is no longer a question of if it will happen, but when it will happen. Cooper Kupp revealed the LA Rams' intentions to trade him this offseason, ending his eight-year run with the team that peaked in 2021 with one of the best wide receiver seasons in NFL history and a Super Bowl trophy.

The writing has been on the wall for a Kupp trade for some time. Kupp's name was floated around the trade market during the 2024 season but nothing ultimately came of it as the Rams instead kept the veteran wideout to aid in the team's postseason run.

While the Rams trading Kupp is not inherently surprising, it does not make it any easier for the fanbase to say goodbye to one of the most impactful players in franchise history. It's going to be even harder for those in the locker room who have turned to Kupp as a true leader in recent years.

It may be most difficult for Puka Nacua, who Kupp took under his wing the last two seasons to aid in his quick rise to being one of the most impactful wideouts in the league. Nacua wasted no time publicly responding to the Kupp trade news, and while he didn't say much, his confusion still strikes a cord with a fanbase that has to learn how to process a new reality without Kupp.

Rams' Puka Nacua appears to be surprised by Cooper Kupp trade news

The writing may have been on the wall throughout the 2024 season but it likely never seemed real for Nacua based on his reaction. This may not win the award for the most surprising trade news of the week (trailing both the shocking Luka Doncic trade and Myles Garrett's trade request), but it obviously still comes as a shock to Nacua.

By trading Kupp, the Rams are putting a lot of emphasis on Nacua being the franchise guy moving forward. There is no denying he has the talent to do so and at this point he is the better option to be a top wideout.

By trading Kupp, the Rams will free up $12.5 million in cap space to add to the team's $38.3 million in projected cap space space. This puts the Rams in a position to replace Kupp with someone who can closely mirror what he can bring to the table as a No. 2 wideout behind Kupp.

The sun will rise tomorrow and the Rams will figure out their new identity without Kupp in the fold. This is simply another reminder of the business nature of the NFL. Hopefully, Nacua's shock won't impact his long-term trust in the Rams organization.