Cooper Kupp and the Los Angeles Rams’ season ended with a Divisional Round loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The NFC West team came close to pulling off a thrilling upset but fell short after the offense failed to convert a fourth down late in the fourth quarter.
The Rams exceeded expectations this past season, but there is no guarantee the team will continue on an upward trajectory. This is mainly due to the uncertainty surrounding Kupp and Matthew Stafford’s future with the team.
Chiefs Fans Want Cooper Kupp in Kansas City
Kupp talked about his future following the Eagles’ loss and ruled out any possibility of retirement. However, whether he will play in Los Angeles next season is still unknown, as the team hasn’t provided the star receiver with any clarity about his future.
“I feel like I’ve got a lot of good football left in me,” Kupp said after the loss to the Eagles, per ESPN. “I’ll be playing football next year. That much I know.
“Who knows what’s going to happen,” The Rams star added. “That’s out of my control. And we will see what it’s going to be. … I don’t have any clarity on what that’s going to look like or anything like that. So yeah, obviously, would love to be in L.A., but I don’t know what that’s going to look like.”
Like many other teams’ fans, the Chiefs want Kupp to play for their team next season. They know how great the Super Bowl-winning wide receiver is when he is healthy and that he will be a huge addition to any team.
Here are some reactions from the Chiefs fans after the latest update on Kupp’s future:
brett veach, get on your phone now https://t.co/pkmaqah96O
— Bryan Chadwell (@bchad_6) January 21, 2025
“That dude is going to KC,” said a fan.
Chieffffffffffs
— RJones (@raging6907) January 21, 2025
“Kupp needs to get traded to the Chiefs so he can actually be used,” said one fan.
“Future Chief,” wrote a fan.
https://t.co/gMfGronmTS pic.twitter.com/PoHOgXObYX
— Ben Heroneme (@BenHeroneme) January 21, 2025
Kupp still has two years left on his current contract, but the Rams could either trade him or restructure his deal to create more cap space to make a run at the Super Bowl next season.
Since Puka Nacua has continued to play at an exceptional level, the 31-year-old wideout has been featured less for the Rams. In the two playoff games this season, Kupp had just six catches for 90 yards on eight targets. He had just one reception in the win against the Minnesota Vikings, and that is not an ideal role for a player who makes north of $25 million annually.
The Chiefs currently have a decent wide receiver group with Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice, DeAndre Hopkins, and JuJu Smith-Schuster. However, Hopkins, Smith-Schuster, Brown, Mecole Hardman, and Justin Watson will be free agents after this season. If none of them re-sign with the team, the defending Super Bowl champions could make a run at Kupp, considering the Rams eat some of the wide receiver’s salary.
Kupp’s injuries have been a major concern, and that might make the Chiefs hesitate to make a move for him. The veteran wideout has played 33 games over the last three seasons, so if the Rams trade him, they will not get a good return.
Kupp’s Future With the Rams Depends on Matthew Stafford
Kupp was a huge reason the Rams won the Super Bowl a few seasons ago. The duo, him and Stafford, was lethal, but Nacua’s ascension into a star receiver and Kupp’s injuries have made things tricky.
Regardless, the Rams could still keep Kupp on the team next season to make their last run at the Super Bowl with Stafford. However, if the quarterback decides to retire this offseason, the chances of Kupp playing in Los Angeles will be close to zero.
Stafford also has two years left on his current deal, but unlike Kupp, he hasn’t confirmed his plans to play next season. He will be 37 years old when the 2025 season starts, so retirement remains possible.
Kupp’s future with the Rams directly depends on Stafford, and as long as the quarterback is on the team, the wide receiver is likely to be there as well.
Sean McVay has done a tremendous job keeping the Rams competitive even after losing players like Jalen Ramsey, Aaron Donald, Von Miller, and Odell Beckham Jr. over the last few seasons. It will be interesting to see whether he will urge the franchise to select a quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft as an insurance plan for Stafford or whether the team will go out and trade for a veteran quarterback when required.
