Rams release Cooper Kupp: Cowboys, Ravens among top landing spots as ‘next chapter starts now’ for veteran WR

Wide receiver Cooper Kupp had been on the trading block, but the Los Angeles Rams’ plan has changed. The team released the former All-Pro receiver, 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP on Wednesday, the first day of the new league year. 

Los Angeles is releasing Kupp after not being able to find a team willing to give up compensation in addition to taking on on the $20 million Kupp was due on his contract. The motivation for the Rams to dump Kupp and save $7.52 million in cap space likely increased after they signed three-time first-team All-Pro wideout Davante Adams to a two-year, $44 million contract with $26 million guaranteed on Sunday.

Kupp, who will turn 32 years old on June 15, initially broke the news via social media that he was on the block on Feb. 4. On Wednesday, Kupp shared his emotions on social media as his time with the Rams ends, but he finished by saying “Next chapter  starts now. Best is yet to come.”

Eight years of incredible memories.

We talked often about the Rams being back in LA and how we would grow to be something special here. And there was frustration early on around getting the buy in from the people of LA.

But we knew at the end of the day, it’s about providing moments. Shared experiences. The things that parents and their children will talk about and remember forever.  

That is what makes the ending of these last eight years so difficult. It’s the ending of something we have enjoyed building with you.

Thank you for these shared moments. Thank you LA for welcoming my family with open arms and allowing us to grow here.

Next chapter starts now. Best is yet to come.

A 2017 third-round pick, Kupp became an immediate contributor inside Rams head coach Sean McVay’s offense. He helped the Rams reach the Super Bowl in 2018, McVay’s second year on the job. 

In 2021, Kupp had one of the greatest seasons of all-time regardless of position. He won the NFL’s “triple crown” after leading the league in receptions (145, second-most in a season in NFL history), receiving yards (1,947, second-most in a season in NFL history) and receiving touchdowns (16) in the regular season. He is only one of five to win the receiving triple crown in a season since the AFL/NFL merger in 1970, which is why he was named the 2021 season’s NFL Offensive Player of the Year. 

In that postseason, Kupp again led all receivers in catches, receiving yards and touchdown catches. He was named Super Bowl LVI MVP after catching the game-winning score in the Rams’ 23-20 win over the Bengals. 

Injuries have slowed Kupp down in recent years, however, as he’s missed a combined 18 games since the Rams won the Super Bowl. Kupp’s injuries are surely part of why the Rams are moving on from him. He has averaged 67 catches, 753 yards receiving and six receiving touchdowns in an average of 11 games played since his historic 2021 campaign. Kupp average 59.2 receiving yards per game in 2024, his fewest since his rookie year in 2017 (57.9). 

Despite his recent injury issues, expect several teams to be interested in bidding for Kupp’s services, especially those that could use a sure-handed veteran wideout with playoff experience. He is due $5 million in guaranteed salary from the Rams in 2025, so his contract with his new team may not break the bank.

Here’s a look at five teams who might be interested in Kupp’s services. 

Dallas needs some reinforcements around CeeDee Lamb, especially with Brandin Cooks hitting the open market. Kupp’s addition would free things up for Lamb while also giving Dak Prescott another established weapon to throw to. There’s also a personal connection since new Cowboys wide receivers coach Junior Adams coached Kupp in college at Eastern Washington. 

The Seattle Seahawks desperately need help at the wide receiver position after cutting Tyler Lockett and trading DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers within the past week. Kupp wouldn’t be the sole focus of opposing defenses either in Seattle with Jaxon Smith-Njigba catching 100 passes in 2024, which tied the Seahawks franchise single-season record (also set by Lockett in 2020). 

Seattle also lured the top free agent quarterback available in Pro Bowler Sam Darnold, who agreed to a three-year, $100.5 million contract. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is a disciple of the Shanahan-McVay tree, so the offense he runs will be similar to one Kupp ran with the Rams and the attack Darnold ran with the Vikings. 

Yes, the Ravens did sign DeAndre Hopkins to a one-year deal, but they could still use another middle of the field/slot weapon with some juice outside of Zay Flowers. Kupp would make a lot of sense for a Baltimore squad that’s right in the thick of Super Bowl contention. Baltimore isn’t afraid to go after big names in free agency. Just a year ago, the Ravens signed Derrick Henry to a two-year deal, and we all see how that’s worked out for them. Kupp would join a loaded Ravens offense that also includes two-time league MVP Lamar Jackson, fellow wideouts Flowers and Rashod Bateman and tight ends Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews. 

Bo Nix thrived last year despite not having the most proven of receiving crops outside of Courtland Sutton. In Denver, Kupp would play with an up-and-coming quarterback and inside Sean Payton’s pass-happy offense. Kupp’s ability to make plays over the middle would certainly aid Nix, who routinely makes plays outside the pocket. 

The Chargers could use another receiver to fill out their line alongside 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston and 2024 second-round pick Ladd McConkey after the Buffalo Bills lured away Josh Palmer in free agency on Monday. They also have the second-most cap space in the NFL ($93.8, per Spotrac), so they could outbid anyone for Kupp. Plus, they’re a team that made the postseason last year with a fun, young quarterback in Justin Herbert, and Kupp wouldn’t even have to move.