The Los Angeles Rams are reportedly listening to offers for veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp. The 31-year-old is drawing interest from several teams, but his contract could complicate a potential trade. Let’s break down Kupp’s deal and 2024 salary, and how they might impact whether a deal gets completed prior to the Nov. 5 trade deadline.
How Much Money Does Cooper Kupp Make?
Coming off winning Super Bowl MVP in 2022, Kupp signed a three-year contract extension worth $80.1 million. The deal included $35 million guaranteed at signing and $75 million in total guarantees, and it meant Kupp was under contract with Los Angeles through 2026.
Kupp is just now in the first year of that contract since he still had two years remaining on his existing deal. While his base salary is $15 million in 2024, his cap hit is $29.78 million — the largest cap hit of any wide receiver in the NFL this season.
In 2025, he’ll once again have a cap hit of $29.78 million. Then, it decreases slightly to $27.33 million in 2026.
The Rams would save $7.5 million in cap space if they cut him after this season and $19.9 million if they cut him before the start of the 2026 league year, but a trade is obviously way more likely.
In an effort to facilitate a trade and improve their return, the Rams are reportedly open to eating some of Kupp’s 2024 salary.
Per @DMRussini, not only are the #Rams exploring trades for WR Cooper Kupp, but they're willing to retain salary to purchase a potential 2nd Rd Pick as well.
Kupp's Contract
2024: $9.1M (gtd)
2025: $20M ($5M gtd)
2026: $19.85M (non-gtd— Spotrac (@spotrac) October 22, 2024
Similar rumors circulated about teams wanting the Las Vegas Raiders to eat some of Davante Adams’ 2024 salary when they were shopping the veteran receiver.
Instead, after getting traded to the New York Jets, Adams agreed to restructure his contract to lower his 2024 cap number from $11.59 million to $3.21 million.
An acquiring team would need to have between $10-$12 million in cap space to acquire Kupp for the rest of the season without restructuring any other contracts. This is because his prorated base salary for 2024 decreases with each passing week.
How did Kupp get this monster extension? He had just helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI, recording eight receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns (including the game-winner) to earn Super Bowl MVP honors. That season, Kupp had a career year, catching 145 passes for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns.
There are plenty of teams who could use a wide receiver like Kupp, but his contract certainly complicates a potential trade.
Even with the offer to eat some of his 2024 salary, it remains to be seen if the Rams can find a trade partner between now and the Nov. 5 deadline.
