The Los Angeles Rams have decided to trade Cooper Kupp this offseason, as the veteran wide receiver revealed on Monday.
The 31-year-old was shopped prior to the 2024 NFL trade deadline, but the Rams ultimately decided to hold onto him. Now, with a trade appearing imminent, his contract could complicate matters.
Let’s break down Kupp’s deal and 2025 salary, and how they might impact whether a deal gets completed this offseason.
How Does Cooper Kupp’s Contract Impact a Potential Trade?
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.
In 2024, Kupp was in the first year of that contract since he still had two years remaining on his existing deal when he signed.
This season, Kupp’s cap hit was $29.78 million — the largest of any wide receiver in the NFL. 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.
Prior to the trade deadline, there were reports that the Rams were open to eating some of Kupp’s salary in order to facilitate a deal. It remains to be seen what that would look like. Kupp could also agree to restructure his contract to lower his cap number after a trade.
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.
This season, Kupp caught 67 passes for 710 yards and six receiving touchdowns in 12 games. However, it’s worth noting that Kupp struggled mightily down the stretch of the season and into the playoffs.
If the Rams had trouble finding a taker for his large contract prior to the deadline, it might be even tougher now after he showed his age a bit late in the year.
Over the course of his career, Kupp has caught 634 passes for 7,776 yards and 57 touchdowns across 104 games. He is a former Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, first-team All-Pro, and triple-cown winner (as he led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns receptions).
There are plenty of teams who could use a wide receiver like Kupp, but his contract certainly complicates a potential trade.
