Cooper Kupp’s time with the Los Angeles Rams is officially over, as the team recently announced they will release their longtime receiver. The Rams informed Kupp during Super Bowl week that he wasn’t in their 2025 plans, and after failing to find a trade partner, they will let the eight-year veteran hit free agency.
4 Potential Landing Spots for Cooper Kupp
Before the legal tampering period began, Kupp sat down with the Los Angeles Times and revealed he had mixed emotions after learning the Rams were moving on. Head coach Sean McVay confirmed the decision was final, with Kupp recalling:
“I asked if there were any other thoughts on ways to move forward, were there any other options to figure things out, and he said, ‘No, this is the way they wanted to go.'”
The Super Bowl 56 MVP admitted it hurt, but Kupp didn’t dwell on it.
“In that moment, I made the decision that I didn’t want this to be a bitter thing in terms of our ending there. I try to keep it as positive as possible and just be forward-thinking about how to walk out of there and be able to shake each other’s hands and move forward.”
Kupp was a cornerstone of McVay’s offense since arriving in 2017. He won the receiving Triple Crown in 2021, posting 145 receptions, 1,947 yards, and 16 touchdowns en route to a Super Bowl win.
However, Kupp has declined over the past three seasons, with injuries playing a major role.
The #Rams tried to trade Cooper Kupp, who announced he was on the way out of L.A. during Super Bowl week. But with no one willing to give up compensation and take on the $20 million Kupp was due on his contract, the team will let him officially hit free agency. https://t.co/mn1LB7nVOT
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 12, 2025
NFL insider Tom Pelissero first reported that Kupp was being released, tweeting, “The #Rams tried to trade Cooper Kupp, who announced he was on the way out of L.A. during Super Bowl week. But with no one willing to give up compensation and take on the $20 million Kupp was due, the team will let him officially hit free agency.”
After ranking second among qualified receivers in EPA per target from 2021-22, Kupp dropped to 45th out of 51 over the past two years. His red-zone usage also declined significantly, raising concerns about his ability to get open in high-leverage situations as he ages.
Nevertheless, Kupp’s résumé remains strong, and he can still be productive in a complementary role. Here are four teams that might be interested in signing him.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots have been active in free agency, focusing their bigger signings on defense. They agreed to terms with Mack Hollins, but New England still lacks a clear No. 1 or No. 2 receiver option.
Signing Kupp feels like a move head coach Mike Vrabel and general manager Eliot Wolf would make. He’d bring a veteran presence to a young receiver room and could serve as a security blanket for rookie QB Drake Maye.
While Kupp alone won’t bring the Patriots back to playoff contention, he could help lay the groundwork for New England’s rebuild under a short-term deal.
Los Angeles Chargers
Kupp very well could switch locker rooms at SoFi Stadium and land with the Los Angeles Chargers. After moving on from Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, the Chargers have turned to young talent at wide receiver. Their top three receivers are all 25 or younger: Ladd McConkey (23), Quentin Johnston (23), and Derius Davis (24).
McConkey impressed in his rookie season, and Johnston rebounded in 2024. Yet, the Chargers still need another pass catcher after moving on from Joshua Palmer.
Justin Herbert has thrived with the right weapons, and after an 11-win season under Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers may be open to adding Kupp to speed up their timeline.
However, the fit could be tricky. McConkey lined up in the slot 64% of the time last season, which is where Kupp has traditionally thrived. Still, if he’s willing to play outside, Kupp could still be a strong addition.
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans entered the 2024 season with a strong WR trio:
- Nico Collins (No. 1 target)
- Tank Dell (breakout sophomore season)
- Stefon Diggs (acquired from Buffalo)
Unfortunately, injuries derailed their plans. Diggs tore his ACL midseason, and Dell suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 16.
Diggs was on a restructured one-year deal and is over 30. Dell, meanwhile, is unlikely to return in 2025 (maybe longer). Suddenly, the Texans need another WR to help Collins.
There’s no reason Kupp couldn’t fill Diggs’ role. Collins is an elite field stretcher, while Diggs was the underneath guy (8.7-yard aDOT). Kupp wouldn’t need to be a superstar, just someone to take defensive attention off Collins.
Buffalo Bills
Of the four teams listed, the Buffalo Bills make the most sense as a Super Bowl contender. Josh Allen’s weapons were below average last season, yet he overcame it to win NFL MVP. Yet, Buffalo’s lack of playmakers was a key reason they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs again.
Kupp to Buffalo makes sense, but not necessarily because he’s the best fit, just that they desperately need another receiver.
The Bills acquired Amari Cooper midseason, but he lost snaps to Hollins and rookie Keon Coleman. Khalil Shakir is their best returning WR, but his skill set overlaps with Kupp’s.
Shakir is better than Kupp at this stage, but Buffalo still needs help.
The Bills agreed to terms with Palmer, but adding another veteran would still be beneficial. Allen can elevate any WR, and Kupp would provide the consistency Buffalo has lacked.