Rams’ Cooper Kupp: ‘I’ll be playing football next year’
After the Los Angeles Rams fell short in the divisional round against the Philadelphia Eagles, the focus hasimmediately shifted to the future of star wide receiver Cooper Kupp.
The Super Bowl 56 MVP voiced that he plans to play next season, but outside of that, there remains uncertainty regarding his future with the Rams.
“I feel like I’ve got a lot of good football left in me,” Kupp said in the Rams’ final open locker room session of the season via ESPN. “I’ll be playing football next year. That much I know.”
Throughout his first eight seasons with Los Angeles, Kupp has established himself as a cornerstone piece of the franchise, highlighted by helping guide his team to a Super Bowl. However, his struggles with injuries over the last couple of seasons have put his future in question due to his significant remaining contract.
It led to trade speculation before the deadline this past season, but the Rams’ turnaround quickly silenced that dialogue. Kupp has two years left on his three-year, $80.1 million extension that he signed in June 2022.
If Los Angeles cuts Kupp this upcoming offseason, the team will save $15 million and have $7.52 million against the salary cap in 2025. If the team parts ways with him without a post-June 1 designation, they will take on a $22.2 million in dead money because of the remaining prorated portions of his signing bonus along with$5 million of his roster bonus.
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He’s coming after a campaign that was impacted by injury as he missed five games (sat out the season finale) finishing with 67 receptions for 710 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
His role has shifted from being the primary receiving target due to the emergence of fellow star wideout Puka Nacua over the last two seasons. The question now lies with whether the Rams believe Kupp can remain a highly productive player over the remainder of his contract, or if the financial flexibility by parting ways is the better path to take.
