Cooper Kupp isn’t sure if his incredible eight-year career with the Los Angeles Rams ended last weekend in Philadelphia.
Although the former All-Pro is under contract for the next two seasons, the size of his deal could force the Rams to part with their Super Bowl 56 MVP — and Kupp recognizes that.
“Who knows what will happen?” Kupp said Monday as the Rams cleaned out their lockers at their practice facility. “A lot of things are beyond my control. We’ll see how it goes. Obviously there are things that have been happening at the beginning of the season, and we’ll see. I don’t have any clarity on what that is. I’m going to look like that. So, obviously I’d like to be in LA, but I don’t know that what will it look like.”
The “stuff” Kupp was referring to is the trade discussion that probably reminded him of everything temporary in the NFL.
When the Rams started the season 1-4, the Rams took calls indicating their willingness to trade the then-injured Kupp, in part to move that three-year, $80.1 million contract extension. He received this deal after his historic 2021-22 season, when he won the Triple Crown of receptions and the Super Bowl MVP award in Los Angeles’ win over Cincinnati.
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The numbers on Kupp’s 2025 contract are scary. He would have to take about $30 million in cap space, but the Rams could save about two-thirds of that by releasing Kupp, who will be 32 next season.
The Rams could also try to work with Kupp in a rebuild, but Kupp knows this front office is not a sympathetic place: General manager Les Snead released or traded Jared Goff, Todd Gurley and Robert Woods before the contract extension even began. theirs.
However, one thing is certain. Kupp is not retiring.
“I feel like I have a lot of good football left in me,” Kupp said. “So I’ll be playing football next year, that’s all I know.”
Kupp called the season that just ended “frustrating,” because of his recent injuries and because of his limited production after returning to health. He was pleased with the Rams’ rally from a rough start to the top of the NFC West and last season, when they were about a few frozen-fingered mistakes shy of beating the Eagles and hosting the NFC championship game this week.
Los Angeles’ narrow playoff loss in snowy Philadelphia won’t change the hot weather for a team that looks poised to be a contender next season after winning 10 of its last 14 games and progressing faster in its rebuild than anyone expected.
Kupp said Monday he was sidelined with an injury that would limit his season, but his numbers weren’t good for his high level. He had 67 catches for 710 yards and six TDs — but he caught just 12 passes for 162 yards over the final five games of the regular season, the lowest of his career.
Kupp appeared to indicate that he would prefer a more prominent role in breaking coach Sean McVay later.
“Watching the film, there are things I feel good about, but production-wise it doesn’t show,” Kupp said. “A lot of things are out of my control and it’s frustrating, but at the same time, we find ways to win games, we find ways to get out of games with Ws, and even if it wasn’t good. a lot of times offensively, we did it and so there’s frustration there, and I want to be able to feel like I have an impact on games I can look back on the season and be happy with what I put on tape. The things I was asked to do, I feel like I accomplished my job.”
After catching just one pass in the Rams’ wild-card win over Minnesota, Kupp had five receptions for 61 yards against the Eagles.
QB question
The Rams’ offseason plans will hinge on Matthew Stafford, who said Sunday night he will “take some time to think” about his future. But the veteran quarterback sounded optimistic about the comeback, even moments after fumbling twice in the fourth quarter of a disappointing loss.
Next season will be the 17th for Stafford, who had to deal with a rib injury. He still received less physical punishment this season than in years past, getting sacked just 28 times in the regular season — his fewest since 2013 in Detroit.
Stafford did not speak to reporters Monday.
Big decisions
The Rams’ most prominent free agent left tackle is Alaric Jackson. The former undrafted free agent who took over the starting job two seasons ago is in line for a big payday after a solid season.
Other unrestricted free agents include receiver Tutu Atwell, who should want to play for someone more willing than McVay to put on the field; veteran Joe Noteboom; linebacker and special teams Michael Hoecht; and defensive lineman Bobby Brown.
Veteran receiver Demarcus Robinson said he would like to come back after a career high of 505 yards and seven TDs: “I love the organization, I love my coaches. Whatever I have to do to try to be here in the same program, because I think it’s a good fit for me.”
It is reported by the Associated Press.
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