Cooper Kupp Rumors: Rams Willing to Eat Some of WR's Contract in Trade

After Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp announced that he was informed of the team's intentions to trade him, many wondered about how his hefty salary could factor into negotiations.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday that the Rams could help ease the burden, saying, "My understanding is the Rams are at least willing to eat some of the money, potentially paying down the $7.5 million signing bonus which, a lot of that is fully guaranteed for Kupp, maybe easing the burden on an acquiring team, maybe making a trade a little easier."

After Kupp revealed on Monday that he was informed that the Rams "will be seeking a trade immediately" and will work with him to find his next landing spot, ESPN's Adam Schefter noted that any team that trades for Kupp will inherit his $20 million salary for the 2025 season and his $19.85 million salary for 2026 unless his contract is renegotiated.

Kupp made it clear that he didn't force his way out of Los Angeles, but he handled the news in stride.

"I don't agree with the decision and always believed it was going to begin and end in L.A.," he wrote. "Still, if there's one thing that I have learned over the years: there are so many things that are out of your control, but it is how you respond to these things that you will look back on and remember."

Kupp has spent his entire career with the Rams since being drafted with a third-round pick in 2017. This past season, he was limited to 12 games for the second straight year and recorded 67 receptions for 710 yards and six touchdowns.

Kupp added in his announcement that he's "healthy as ever," so he should draw interest from teams seeking a difference-maker on the outside. If the Rams are willing to absorb his salary, teams shouldn't hesitate to add the 31-year-old.