Top Destinations for Cooper Kupp: Steelers, Buccaneers among Favourites
The Los Angeles Rams are 2-4 and in last place in the NFC West, a half-game behind the 49ers. The Super Bowl 56 champions already put their defensive rebuild in motion after Aaron Donald retired, and now it might be time to move the MVP of that game: wide receiver Cooper Kupp.
Kupp, 31, is about to return from his latest ailment, a high ankle sprain, either for Thursday night’s home game vs. the Vikings or a Week 9 matchup in Seattle. But with the Nov. 5 NFL midseason trade deadline fast approaching, the Rams are rumored to be mulling over moving their veteran receiver.
Cooper Kupp trade fits: 6 best landing spots
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers could use a complementary slot who can line up everywhere for Russell Wilson to open more downfield passing shots to George Pickens. They have a few pieces for Arthur Smith, but none can beat coverage like Kupp. If they can find the cap room, Pittsburgh can make a massive move to improve their AFC title chances.
2. Los Angeles Chargers
This would mean Kupp wouldn’t have to change cities or stadiums as he becomes the experienced go-to guy in a thinning wide receiver corps also short on experience. Kupp could step in and be the new Keenan Allen for Justin Herbert, getting open everywhere.
3. Washington Commanders
The Commanders have a committee of big-play threats, slot types, and tight ends helping Terry McLaurin, their big-play No. 1 receiver for Jayden Daniels. Washington could gamble on an all-in shot for a surprise NFC title, and it can be certain that Kliff Kingsbury will maximize Kupp’s usage in an already balanced and explosive offense.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are sad about losing Mike Evans (hamstring) for a stretch and Chris Godwin (ankle) for the season in the same game in Week 7. But there’s a glimmer of hope now, as they also might see the value of preserving a big season for Baker Mayfield by adding Kupp, who also used to play under offensive coordinator Liam Coen.
5. Detroit Lions
Speaking of going all-in to win the NFC, it would be a crazy twist for the Lions to be that win-now team after they helped the Rams become that team a couple of years ago with the Jared Goff-Matthew Stafford QB swap. Goff reuniting with Kupp could steal the show from Aaron Rodgers being back with Davante Adams, making the Lions difficult to cover on intermediate routes with Kupp, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Sam LaPorta.
6. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings will play Kupp’s Rams in Week 8 and should consider what it would like to have him work in the same passing game with Justin Jefferson, as both have had the title of “NFL’s best wide receiver’ in recent seasons. Kupp would again be a quick study here connecting with Sam Darnold with former Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell leading the team.
Why Cooper Kupp won’t be traded to the San Francisco 49ers
The Rams know the 49ers are in dire wide receiver straits in the short term with Brandon Aiyuk (knee) done for the season and Deebo Samuel battling illness. Much like the Raiders not helping out the Chiefs by dealing them Davante Adams, don’t expect a swap between the archrivals.
The 49ers, despite being tied to the contracts of Aiyuk and Samuel, have ample cap space to do it before paying QB Brock Purday market value in 2025. But as the Rams work and look more toward the future, they shouldn’t want to help the present class of the division when it’s down in third place. Kupp would have an immediate impact in the 49ers’ offense with the correlation between Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan concepts, but it seems far-fetched to think GM Les Snead will do something to help counterpart John Lynch.
