It’s possible that 2020 will be Cooper Kupp’s last season with the Rams. There are multiple paths for the team to prevent that from happening, such as using the franchise tag or simply signing him to a contract extension.
But this season will be the final year of his rookie deal, making him a free agent in 2021. And as we all know, once a player gets to the open market, it can become an all-out bidding war – especially for a player of Kupp’s caliber.
One of the biggest hurdles standing in the Rams’ way is the salary cap, which the COVID-19 pandemic may have just complicated for 2021. The NFL has set the salary cap floor at $175 million next year, which is $25.2 million less than this year’s cap and $35 million less than early projections based on yearly increases in the past.
If the salary cap is indeed set at $175 million for 2021, the Rams would only have $8.1 million to spend – not even enough for a franchise tag. Kupp is well aware of the potential cap restrictions and their impact on his contract situation, but he’s confident the Rams will make it work.
“You’re definitely aware of it. I mean, it’s something you definitely hear about,” he told reporters last week. “But at the end of the day, I have faith in the Rams organization that they’re going to do the things that are needed and best for the team to win. And whatever that is – I have all the faith in the world that they’re going to make those decisions in the timing that needs to be to make sure that we can be a successful team. So, with all that other stuff aside, it really doesn’t mean anything in terms of what it means as us an organization, us as team. I want to make sure that when we’re going out on the field, I know that the organization has put us in the best position to win. I have the respect for the work that they have to do and the balancing act they have.”
Kupp is one of the biggest priorities for the Rams next offseason, right there alongside Jalen Ramsey and John Johnson. COO Kevin Demoff said earlier this offseason that the Rams are trying to leave room to sign Kupp, Johnson and Ramsey, but that could be easier said than done – especially with the lower cap projection.
Ramsey is likely priority No. 1 because of the cost Los Angeles paid to acquire him, but Kupp is an integral part of the offense. He probably isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
