This may make Kupp a first-time free agent, and though no commerce materialized, Kupp will generate FA curiosity, NFL Community’s Mike Garafolo provides. At the very least three groups have recognized curiosity, Fox Sports activities’ Peter Schrager notes.
The Packers ought to be a crew to look at right here, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweets, mentioning the Seahawks and Titans as potential matches as effectively. The Raiders would additionally have an interest, per The Athletic’s Tashan Reed, although they don’t seem keen to make this transfer with out a notable low cost.
Kupp will be part of a number of completed early 30-something WRs in free company. Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper and Tyler Lockett are additionally out there. None put collectively a season fairly like what Kupp did in 2021, although his accidents since will restrict his market.
Kupp’s availability additionally stands to have an effect on the above-referenced wideouts’ markets, as it’s turning into crowded at receiver in free company. Diontae Johnson joins this solid, however the veteran starter’s sophisticated 2024 has tanked his inventory.
The Rams will likely be on the hook for a $5M Kupp wage assure this 12 months and prorated signing bonus cash in 2025 and 2026. They may, nonetheless, keep away from a $7.5M roster bonus by shifting on now. The Rams can break up the $22.26M useless cash invoice over two offseasons with a post-June 1 designation. That anticipated transfer will create $15M in 2025 cap financial savings.
Kupp, 31, mentioned HC Sean McVay instructed him he can be traded shortly after the season. The previous triple-crown winner made the Rams’ intentions public, indicating he was out after eight seasons. GM Les Snead mentioned Kupp’s $7.5M bonus, which was due in a couple of days, served because the deadline for a choice and by no means made it sound like a ninth season collectively was within the playing cards.
Between the time the Rams knowledgeable Kupp he can be out of the image quickly and the precise launch transpiring, the crew agreed to a take care of Davante Adams. The three-time All-Professional will step in alongside Puka Nacua.
The Rams’ Adams contract solely brings 2025 ensures, as a 2026 reduce with a little bit of useless cash hooked up can be in play if that doesn’t show it. Adams, nonetheless, has stayed a lot more healthy than Kupp and has proven extra consistency as a high-end receiver — even when Kupp has produced this decade’s finest WR season.
The previous third-round select of Division I-FCS Japanese Washington, Kupp made the closest push to Calvin Johnson‘s single-season receiving file. He paired 145 receptions and 16 touchdowns with 1,947 receiving yards.
Kupp additionally trails solely 2008 Larry Fitzgerald for yards in a single playoffs, having totaled 478 and 6 TDs — together with a Tremendous Bowl LVI game-winner — to assist the Rams to a title. Important damage bother intervened within the years that adopted, as ankle and hamstring maladies stored him off the sector for 18 video games over the previous three seasons.
The Rams had given Kupp two extensions, with the second coming lower than two years after the primary. Kupp agreed to a three-year, $47.25M extension in 2020 — after he had bounced again from a 2018 ACL tear with a 1,000-yard 2019 — and he inked a three-year, $80.1M deal months after Tremendous Bowl LVI. Kupp finally couldn’t ship on the second payday, although he nonetheless confirmed he has starter-level kind in his tank.
