FEATURE Cooper Kupp Released

[WestCoastRam]

Why would a team trade for Kupp with that contract and his injury history over the last 3 years and diminishing production when healthy this season.

Even if the Rams took on his contract, the other two are disqualifying for a trade.

He'll get cut. Every team knows he will so they'll wait. Hope he has success with the next team. He'll have to be a role player though.

If a trade were gonna happen, it most likely would have happened by now. They'll cut him before the roster bonus, what in like 8 days.

 

[jrry32]

Why would a team trade for Kupp with that contract and his injury history over the last 3 years and diminishing production when healthy this season.

Even if the Rams took on his contract, the other two are disqualifying for a trade.

He'll get cut. Every team knows he will so they'll wait. Hope he has success with the next team. He'll have to be a role player though.

If a trade were gonna happen, it most likely would have happened by now. They'll cut him before the roster bonus, what in like 8 days.

I disagree. $5 million of the $7.5 million roster bonus is guaranteed. If nobody is giving us any value, I'd rather keep him than save around $7.5 million (eating over $22 million in dead cap). He's a great locker room influence. He's a mentor for young WRs. And he's still a capable WR. If nobody is offering value, stick with Kupp for one more year.

 

[XXXIVwin]

My concern with Kupp is injuries and age. Last 3 years he's missed 17 games to 3 significant injuries-- the two high ankle sprains, and the hamstring tear. Plus he's about to turn 32, which is the age when NFL WR's tend to fall off a cliff.

McVay obviously loves the guy, so my guess is that the Rams are basing their decision on age and injury concerns as well.

EDIT: just for comparison sake... no NFL WR player 32 or older last year got 750 yards. Best was Keenan Allen, who got 744, good for only 44th place in yardage.

It's really really hard and rare to be a dangerous NFL WR at 32 or older.

NFL Current Wide Receivers Over The Age Of 32 | StatMuse

NFL current wide receivers over the age of 32

www.statmuse.com

2024 NFL Receiving | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Check out the 2024 NFL Receiving Stats and more on Pro-football-reference.com

www.pro-football-reference.com

 

[DzRams]

My concern with Kupp is injuries and age. Last 3 years he's missed 17 games to 3 significant injuries-- the two high ankle sprains, and the hamstring tear. Plus he's about to turn 32, which is the age when NFL WR's tend to fall off a cliff.

McVay obviously loves the guy, so my guess is that the Rams are basing their decision on age and injury concerns as well.

EDIT: just for comparison sake... no NFL WR player 32 or older last year got 750 yards. Best was Keenan Allen, who got 744, good for only 44th place in yardage.

It's really really hard and rare to be a dangerous NFL WR at 32 or older.

NFL Current Wide Receivers Over The Age Of 32 | StatMuse

NFL current wide receivers over the age of 32

www.statmuse.com

2024 NFL Receiving | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Check out the 2024 NFL Receiving Stats and more on Pro-football-reference.com

www.pro-football-reference.com

This is why I think he ends up being cut.

 

[dieterbrock]

I don’t want Kupp traded or cut, but the reality tells a different story.
I think the only way he can stick around is if there is no trade and he agrees to a “modest” pay reduction of 5-7 mill, from either salary or roster bonus, putting his cap number at, or around the dead cap hit of 22 mill.
Even that doesn’t seem likely with how resolute the decision to move him seems to be.
While retaining Stafford and AJax is great, it also will have 2025 cap ramifications, both eat cap, not reduce. Stafford was already at near 50 mill, and they way it worked out I don’t see how that number reduced

 

[So Ram]

Could be, unless they eat more of his salary to facilitate a trade, but why do that when you didn't do it for Jackson?

Actually, I am surprised they got a 5th for Jackson.

I was thinking the Chargers might give up something for Kupp. They have cap room and need WR help, unless they feel they would have the inside track to sign him if released since he wouldn't have to move.

You know when something is to close and starring you in the face,It’s like the snake theory.

Makes a lot of sense. SO much that Kupp might not even be looking for a place (team).He could finish his career in SOFI.The perfect coach as well.I could see the Chargers drafting a RB as well.KUPPS blocking skills are as good as it gets for a WR.A nice QB to play with as well.

 

[Memphis Ram]

I think many here are going to be very disappointed in the return, if any, the Rams get for Cooper Kupp.

His trade value was much higher during the season when teams were trying to make a Super Bowl run and had fewer available options.

Even Davante Adams looks like an upcoming cap casualty.

Other free agent options soon to be available


View: https://x.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1896996099505689075

 

[FaulkSF]

Other free agent options soon to be available


View: https://x.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1896996099505689075

There’s some other players with intrigue on that list. Dynami Brown, Westbrook Ikhine, and Keenan Allen (injury history) may be options. I don’t think Brown and WI had opportunities to really show out. These may be a Bobby Trees type signing.

Davante Adams is possible as long as he realizes he’s not the young man he once was and adopts the we not me attitude.

 

[So Ram]

Other free agent options soon to be available


View: https://x.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1896996099505689075

Funny — Van,Tutu,D.Rob,Bobby Tree’s,cooks, are all on that list

 

[KA210927]

Other free agent options soon to be available


View: https://x.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1896996099505689075

Elijah Moore could be interesting... he's still young

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Godwin coming off that injury is a tough blow for him. It will likely lower his value.

Maybe the Rams can sign him to a cheap prove it deal. It could pay off in the playoffs.

 

[muggmeister]

I disagree. $5 million of the $7.5 million roster bonus is guaranteed. If nobody is giving us any value, I'd rather keep him than save around $7.5 million (eating over $22 million in dead cap). He's a great locker room influence. He's a mentor for young WRs. And he's still a capable WR. If nobody is offering value, stick with Kupp for one more year.

I honestly just think at this point they would rather have the dead cap this year rather than next. Funds will be needed for Young, Turner, Avila and Nacua. I would like us to be perennial contenders rather than just going for it and all-in for 1 season.

 

[Allen2McVay]

I honestly just think at this point they would rather have the dead cap this year rather than next. Funds will be needed for Young, Turner, Avila and Nacua. I would like us to be perennial contenders rather than just going for it and all-in for 1 season.

I guess so because the Rams seem determined to move-on.

It's just the 2025 Dead-$ might be three-times greater than the 2026 Dead-$ would be.

Those 2023 draft choices will only be entering the final year of their rookie contracts in 2026. The Rams may want to agree to extensions next off-season (hope so) but the cap impact would not happen until 2027.

 

[WestCoastRam]

I disagree. $5 million of the $7.5 million roster bonus is guaranteed. If nobody is giving us any value, I'd rather keep him than save around $7.5 million (eating over $22 million in dead cap). He's a great locker room influence. He's a mentor for young WRs. And he's still a capable WR. If nobody is offering value, stick with Kupp for one more year.

It really didn't look like Kupp could cut well or win horizontally by the end of the year, if Rams believe this to be his new normal, I can't see them keeping a WR who now has such a limited route tree especially when so much of what Rams want to do is have guys run similar routes so things look all the same.

 

[Haden]

My concern with Kupp is injuries and age. Last 3 years he's missed 17 games to 3 significant injuries-- the two high ankle sprains, and the hamstring tear. Plus he's about to turn 32, which is the age when NFL WR's tend to fall off a cliff.

McVay obviously loves the guy, so my guess is that the Rams are basing their decision on age and injury concerns as well.

EDIT: just for comparison sake... no NFL WR player 32 or older last year got 750 yards. Best was Keenan Allen, who got 744, good for only 44th place in yardage.

It's really really hard and rare to be a dangerous NFL WR at 32 or older.

NFL Current Wide Receivers Over The Age Of 32 | StatMuse

NFL current wide receivers over the age of 32

www.statmuse.com

2024 NFL Receiving | Pro-Football-Reference.com

Check out the 2024 NFL Receiving Stats and more on Pro-football-reference.com

www.pro-football-reference.com

Those were very interesting stats. Thanks for posting! Aside from Jerry Rice, it appears NFL WRs are washed after 32.

 

[PhillyRam]

It's a 6th I thought

Yeah, my mistake... I meant 6th

 

[snackdaddy]

My heart wants to see Kupp stick around another year. His numbers projected 90 plus catches for 1000 yards and 8 or 9 TD's over 17 games. Not bad for a WR2. Plus his influence in the receiver room.

But my head knows its not likely he'll play 17 games. More likely around 12. And he clearly isn't the same guy anymore. The salary is just too prohibitive for the assumed production. I'd like to see him this year but I don't think he's part of their plans.

 

[Flatlyner]

Could be, unless they eat more of his salary to facilitate a trade, but why do that when you didn't do it for Jackson?

Actually, I am surprised they got a 5th for Jackson.

I was thinking the Chargers might give up something for Kupp. They have cap room and need WR help, unless they feel they would have the inside track to sign him if released since he wouldn't have to move.

I think you spelled Tenants wrong

Elijah Moore could be interesting... he's still young

He's my top hope honestly. He hasn't been in a functioning offense ever. My understanding is that he is a good route running with speed. On top of being young still, we should definitely be interested.

 

[Rams8821]

I honestly just think at this point they would rather have the dead cap this year rather than next. Funds will be needed for Young, Turner, Avila and Nacua. I would like us to be perennial contenders rather than just going for it and all-in for 1 season.

We can do both.....

 

[jrry32]

I honestly just think at this point they would rather have the dead cap this year rather than next. Funds will be needed for Young, Turner, Avila and Nacua. I would like us to be perennial contenders rather than just going for it and all-in for 1 season.

While that's a reasonable stance, we've got an aging QB who is capable of winning a Super Bowl? Why wouldn't we be focused on trying to win it all this year? I'm not arguing we should go all in and trade the future away, but I also don't see a reason we should unnecessarily dump dead cap on the books this year.

It really didn't look like Kupp could cut well or win horizontally by the end of the year, if Rams believe this to be his new normal, I can't see them keeping a WR who now has such a limited route tree especially when so much of what Rams want to do is have guys run similar routes so things look all the same.

Maybe. But Kupp looked quite good earlier in the year. Which is the real Kupp? I don't know. I don't see a reason for us to rush to cut him. Maybe they will, but I'd play the waiting game. We only save $2.5 million cutting him now versus waiting, if there's not a good offer on the table.