NFL Rumors: Rams Didn't Ask Cooper Kupp to Restructure Contract Before Trade Reveal

The Los Angeles Rams didn't approach wide receiver Cooper Kupp about restructuring his contract before signaling their intention to move on from him this offseason, according to The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue.

Kupp said on Feb. 3 the Rams told him they'd be "seeking a trade immediately and will be working with me and my family to find the right place to continue competing for championships."

In light of the new information presented by Rodrigue, it sounds like this wasn't a matter of Los Angeles wanting to keep the 2021 All-Pro at a friendlier rate. The franchise is simply ready to focus its efforts elsewhere at wideout.

That shouldn't come as a huge shock considering Kupp's age (31) and the extent to which he has been limited by injuries in recent years. He has missed 18 games since the start of the 2022 season.

Puka Nacua's emergence has also lessened the Rams' reliance on Kupp. They already have his long-term successor on the roster.

The only question is whether a trade suitor steps up to the plate or the Rams have to cut Kupp outright.

The former scenario would be far better for L.A.

The team would save $12.5 million and have a dead money hit of $17.3 million by trading him before June 1, per Spotrac. Designating him as a post-June 1 release, meanwhile, would create $15 million in savings but spread the dead cap hit across 2025 ($14.8 million) and 2026 ($7.5 million).

By having the organizational stance on Kupp out in the open, Rams general manager Les Snead may have trouble finding a worthwhile trade. Interested teams could choose instead to wait for the veteran pass-catcher to get cut.