Cooper Kupp is poised to be one of the most talked about potential trades this offseason. The Los Angeles Rams wide receiver is expected to be shipped despite him wanting to stay. NFL Insider Albert Breer points out that the Rams would look to get done with this trade sooner rather than later. There are 7.5 million reasons behind this haste.
Insider Suggests An Early Trade For Cooper Kupp Is On The Books
The Rams deciding to trade Cupp sent shockwaves into the footballing world. Even Matthew Stafford’s wife Kelly couldn’t help herself from calling out the front office for this decision.
However, plans are now set in motion and Breer contends that Cupp’s contractual terms will force this by the next month in his column. “I think they agree to a trade before the beginning of the league year in mid-March,” he wrote.
“As for the return, I’d say it’s probably a Day 3 pick. Remember, the contract will weigh down any negotiation. He’s due a $7.5 million roster bonus on St. Patrick’s Day (hence the urgency to move him before then), with $5 million of it fully guaranteed, and another $12.5 million in nonguaranteed base salary.”
“He’s not going to make all $20 million next year. So, the Rams’ willingness to pay some of (or even all of) the roster bonus, and Kupp’s willingness to take less in base salary, will be needed to make a deal happen.”
Kupp is coming off a campaign where he suffered an ankle injury and played only 12 games. The WR registered 67 catches for 710 yards and six touchdowns in his eighth season with the Rams.
Kupp Could Land With Super Bowl Champions
While many teams will be in line to bolster their wide-out room with the inclusion of Kupp, NFL insider Conner Orr predicts the Philadelphia Eagles will benefit the most. The Super Bowl 59 champions would pour gasoline into their potent attack if Kupp joins their ranks, predicts Orr.
“The Eagles will trade for Cooper Kupp,” he writes. “After watching this team throughout the postseason, I was taken by how beautiful their offense was with the contribution of so many receivers willing to put their body on the line as blockers.”
Orr further highlighted that Kupp is the receiver who brings the best out of offenses and focuses on running the ball. The Eagles would like to utilize Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts’ propensity to go on devastating runs with Kupp.