FEATURE Cooper Kupp Released

[WestCoastRam]

on how we used Kupp primarily as a blocking back…he didn’t deteriorate overnite…

Why do you think McVay phased him out of the number one (and honestly, number two) role in the offense at the end of the year then?

 

[WestCoastRam]

View: https://x.com/AdamGrosbard/status/1896600078951104646

 

[Tano]

View: https://x.com/AdamGrosbard/status/1896600078951104646

 

[shovelpass]

View: https://x.com/LATimesklein/status/1896599883118940216

 

[El Chapo Jr]

So my take from this is that McVay is secretly an Orge Jedi.....holy fuck!

 

[Allen2McVay]

I would recommend ROD posters watch and listen to McVay’s Q&A with the media earlier today. It’s available on the Rams’ team site.

Unfortunately, it seems like the decision has been made on Kupp. Personally, I wish I understood it better. Aside from the significant intangibles Kupp still provides, I simply don’t see enough 2025 cap relief from moving on this offseason (next offseason … yes, absolutely).

 

[OldSchool]

I would recommend ROD posters watch and listen to McVay’s Q&A with the media earlier today. It’s available on the Rams’ team site.

Unfortunately, it seems like the decision has been made on Kupp. Personally, I wish I understood it better. Aside from the significant intangibles Kupp still provides, I simply don’t see enough 2025 cap relief from moving on this offseason (next offseason … yes, absolutely).

Don't get too attached to a player. They change faster than coaches and GMs. And so far our team has done pretty well replacing guys. Add to that the salary cap guarantees about 10 guys will change on the 53 man roster every year.

And if that doesn't make you feel a bit more understanding g a out it just blame @Merlin

 

[Psycho_X]

I simply don’t see enough 2025 cap relief from moving on this offseason (next offseason … yes, absolutely).

I think the next offseason is exactly why this is happening. Les and McVay have both talked about doing what they need to in order to have money to pay their young core in the future. Players like Avila, Kobie, Young, Puka, and even Ethan Evans will have one year left after 2025 season. For star players you know you'll want to keep, extensions usually happen in that offseason before the last year of their contract. That's why they didn't want to go crazy on a Stafford contract beyond 2025 and why they will jettison Kupp and Jonah Jackson this offseason even though it doesn't help a ton now. It's all about that surge of young studs needing to be paid.

 

[Flatlyner]

This trade would be ideal (if we have to trade him):
https://theramswire.usatoday.com/st...jHrrkelllKKj1O-ZIA_aem_-JNUns9xhibsbCtBrVT9Ug

Summary; Kupp and a 25 '6th for a '25 3rd & '26 4th. Doubt we get this return, but, this one is assuming we pay most of bonus.

 

[Noregar]

Offloading Kupp and Jackson really helps next year's cap (2026).

I would love to see Kupp stay but getting rid of Kupp also resets the WR room and I think they want to do a reset at WR aside from Puka.

 

[Ram Ts]

As long as they have a plan - I’m in. I trust McVay & Snead. There is a valid reason for this (or multiple reasons).

 

[Allen2McVay]

Offloading Kupp and Jackson really helps next year's cap.

Do you mean 2026?

 

[Allen2McVay]

Don't get too attached to a player.

You cold hearted bastard!

Seriously though, there are exceptions. In my 56 years of being a diehard Rams’ fan, there are less than ten on my list; and Cooper Kupp is one of them.

The Rams don’t win that Lombardi without him … and Donald, and Stafford.

Now, back to this ‘don’t get attached’ thing … Who hurt you?

Was it @Loyal ?

 

[Noregar]

Do you mean 2026?

yes

 

[Allen2McVay]

Offloading Kupp and Jackson really helps next year's cap (2026).

And that’s a good thing but the Rams appear to be in good cap shape already for 2026; and, the Dead-$ resulting from moving on from both players (especially if it’s via release) is significant.

Meanwhile, the 2025 cap relief is not significant, limiting the Rams ability to add talent for a deep playoff run in 2025.

 

[RamDino]

I would recommend ROD posters watch and listen to McVay’s Q&A with the media earlier today. It’s available on the Rams’ team site.

Unfortunately, it seems like the decision has been made on Kupp. Personally, I wish I understood it better. Aside from the significant intangibles Kupp still provides, I simply don’t see enough 2025 cap relief from moving on this offseason (next offseason … yes, absolutely).

@OldSchool is correct... we get attached to players and they all leave eventually. I never thought I'd get over Aaron Donald retiring. I thought he was too young and the team was trending up. It sucks but I got over it.

But the Rams must believe Cooper Kupp's play has declined. Other than that, there is no reason to jettison him. I am excited about Jordan Whittington's progress this year, but I also believe the Rams will draft a wide receiver fairly early. They are thin at WR (at the moment) and hopefully they will "knock it out of the park" when they draft like they did with Kupp and Nacua.

And I agree with @Allen2McVays point about not seeing enough cap relief to "move on" this year. It doesn't make any sense to me when they can keep him for another year, get some value out of his contract, and then cut him next year. The cap hits don't really change that much whether Kupp stays or goes... correct? The team is paying him whether he is on the team or not. But they did it with Gurley and Goff and everyone else so they must have believed that Kupp's play has declined.

Of course all of this goes out the window if the Rams can work a trade. Then the contract will get negotiated (or split) as well. But if no team trades for him, the Rams will be forced to cut him. I guess that is why we might only get a 6th or 7th-round pick in a trade. Tough position to be in.

 

[Londoner]

the Rams must believe Cooper Kupp's play has declined. Other than that, there is no reason to jettison him.

This is the crux of the issue.

If the Rams thought Kupp was worth what he's being paid, they wouldn't be trading him.

 

[PhillyRam]

This is the crux of the issue.

If the Rams thought Kupp was worth what he's being paid, they wouldn't be trading him.

Plus, keeping him in 25' impacts the 26' cap. They want to cut bait now, take the big dead cap hit this year, and move on so he doesn't impact 26'.

 

[DzRams]

This is the crux of the issue.

If the Rams thought Kupp was worth what he's being paid, they wouldn't be trading him.

Right. I'm guessing their internal metrics are telling them he's slowed down and it's not injuries.

 

[Allen2McVay]

@OldSchool is correct...

I wish you had not said that.
Now he will be just be impossible to live with.