The Los Angeles Rams will have their franchise quarterback back in 2025. After a back-and-forth negotiation, an agreement was reached that will see Matthew Stafford compete for Super Bowls in L.A.
Now that they know who will be throwing passes for the team next year, the Rams need to address the issue of who will be catching them.
Stafford to Stay, Kupp to Leave
In the four years Stafford has been in Los Angeles, veteran receiver Cooper Kupp has been his go-to guy in the passing game. Of Stafford’s 12,965 passing yards for the Rams, Kupp accounted for almost a third of them (4,154).
But Kupp’s time in Southern California appears to be at an end after it was announced that the team intends to trade him. Despite Kupp’s age and injury issues, there should be sufficient interest for a deal to be struck, with plenty of teams needing a reliable receiver.
I was informed that the team will be seeking a trade immediately and will be working with me and my family to find the right place to continue competing for championships. I don’t agree with the decision and always believed it was going to begin and end in LA.
Still, if there’s… pic.twitter.com/XWmbGVscGy
— Cooper Kupp (@CooperKupp) February 4, 2025
With Kupp gone, two-year starter Puka Nacua stands out as the only starting-caliber receiver slated to be on the Rams roster in 2025.
And according to PFSN’s “One Free Agent Each Team Can’t Afford To Lose” rundown, the answer for the Rams lies in-house.
Rams Should Re-Sign Demarcus Robinson
Enter Demarcus Robinson.
Currently slated to hit free agency, Robinson led an injury-hit Rams offense in routes run and receiving touchdowns. With both Kupp and Nacua dealing with injuries in 2024, Robinson provided a solid option for Matthew Stafford as the team put together a fourth playoff season in five years.
MATTHEW STAFFORD TO DEMARCUS ROBINSON ONE-HANDED TD TO WIN THE GAME FOR THE @RAMSNFL! pic.twitter.com/xqFG6xQ4eS
— NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2024
Making the case for Robinson’s re-signing, PFSN analyst Sterling Xie writes:
“Demarcus Robinson has been a clear third fiddle behind Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp in recent years but has brought a dose of dependability and big-play ability. Robinson played the most snaps and ran the most routes of any receiver on the Rams last season, leading the team with seven touchdown receptions as the rest of the pass catchers dealt with a variety of injuries.
With Kupp out the door, Robinson would once again occupy an every-down role for 2025 and potentially buy the Rams some time to develop a draft pick. He also provides a much-needed dose of vertical playmaking, as his 16.3 yards per reception ranked fourth among players with at least 30 catches in 2024.”
While not a hugely inspiring signing, the Rams have an opportunity to build upon a really impressive showing by their young roster in 2024. With Kupp out the door, Robinson would allow the team to further solidify their next generation without compromising the present.