Report: Rams willing to trade 1 star player
Dec 17, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; The Los Angeles Rams logo at midfield at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Rams are reportedly open to trading at least one of their star players ahead of next month’s deadline.
With several teams around the NFL dealing with injuries to their top wide receivers, Cooper Kupp has been mentioned as a possible trade candidate for playoff contenders. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media said on Sunday that teams have been calling the Rams to ask about Kupp.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Rams are “definitely open” to trading Kupp. Russini said during a Tuesday appearance on the “Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” that Los Angeles is even willing to eat some of Kupp’s salary, which might help facilitate a deal with a team like the Kansas City Chiefs.
“If the Rams are willing to take on the salary I heard they are willing to do. They are definitely open to trading Cooper Kupp, so we’ll see if they’ll be able to get a deal done,” Russini said. “I just don’t think Kansas City has enough money even if the Rams were to take on some of that salary. That’s been the problem and the reason why they haven’t been able to go after a Davante Adams or an Amari Cooper like we’ve seen other teams be aggressive with.”
Could the Chiefs trade for Cooper Kupp?
"If the Rams are willing to take on the salary I've heard they're willing to do, they are definitely open to trading Cooper Kupp so we'll see if they'll be able to get a deal done." @DMRussini on the upcoming trade deadline.
WATCH:… pic.twitter.com/s8aSSl1Hld
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) October 22, 2024
Kupp has a base salary of $15 million this season.
Kupp has not played since Week 2 because of an ankle injury. He is on track to return for Thursday night’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, though his snap count will likely be limited.
The Rams improved to 2-4 with their win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, but they have not looked like a playoff contender. The big question is how much teams would be willing to give up for Kupp given the 31-year-old’s lengthy injury history. If L.A. is open to eating a significant portion of Kupp’s contract, the return would likely be greater.
Kupp has been one of the most productive receivers in the NFL when healthy. He had 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2021, but injuries have been an issue since. He has 18 catches for 147 yards and a score in two games this season.