Insider Fuels Ominous NFL Rumors About Cooper Kupp’s Future with Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp has enjoyed a storied NFL career since entering the league, winning NFL Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP all with the same franchise. Now on the wrong side of 30 on a team near the bottom of the standings, Kupp’s name is popping up in NFL rumors.

While the All-Pro wide receiver’s name has been thrown around before in NFL trade rumors, speculation turned to something bigger on Saturday night. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that multiple teams inquired into Kupp in recent weeks, with the offensive weapon in hot demand ahead of the NFL trade deadline on Nov. 5.

Related: NFL insider reveals likely cost of a Cooper Kupp trade

  • Cooper Kupp contract (Spotrac): $29.78 million cap hit in 224, $28.78 million cap hit in 2025, $27.33 million cap hit in 2026

Even after winning on Sunday, Los Angeles is still just 2-7 this season and it has played a majority of its games without Kupp and Puka Nacua. Nacua is moving closer toward a return but Kupp will be active on Thursday Night Football in Week 8 when Los Angeles hosts the Minnesota Vikings.

Despite the Rams’ victory and the impending return of their All-Pro wide receiver, Kupp’s name continues to float around in NFL rumors. One reason for that is a belief that his future in Los Angeles is bleak anyway, as explained by Yahoo Sports senior NFL reporter Charles Robinson on Friday’s episode of the Inside Coverage podcast.

“I’m telling you, I don’t think Cooper Kuppn is Ram next year. So, if he’s not going to be a Ram next year, if he’s going to be a cap casualty for you in the offseason, why would you not move him?..Look at their record, where are they going?…There’s health issues, there’s financial issues, there’s issues of their record.”

Yahoo Sports senior NFL reporter Charles Robinson on Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp

Also Read: Week 8 fantasy rankings

  • Cooper Kupp stats (ESPN): 18 receptions, 147 receiving yards, 1 touchdown

More Cooper Kupp Trade Speculation

NFL Insider for the Athletic, Dianna Russini has now also thrown fuel on the fire that the Rams are “definitely open” to trading Cooper Kupp this year.

She goes so far as to say that the Rams are even willing to keep some of his salary in order to potentially move him.

Cutting Kupp this offseason is certainly on the table for the Rams’ front office. While he’s still capable of playing at an All-Pro level, durability remains a huge issue for the veteran wideout. There would also be significant cap savings by releasing him, with a post-June 1 release generating $12.52 million in cap space or a post-June 1 trade generating $20 million in cap savings.

Related: Los Angeles Rams Draft Picks 2025

For a team that needs both draft picks and cheap young talent, trading Kupp is probably the smartest long-term move. Nacua proved he could play Kupp’s role last season and trading Kupp to a Super Bowl contender would give him another shot at winning the Lombardi Trophy.

However, Los Angeles doesn’t seem inclined to trade Kupp right now. He’s a critical piece in Sean McVay’s offense and the Rams coaching staff can point to narrow losses against the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers as evidence that this team can be much better when healthy. If Los Angeles loses on Thursday night, though, Kupp’s name will likely resurface in NFL rumors.