Tag: Cooper Kupp

Former Steelers trade target could be back on the market

The Steelers might have another shot to trade for Deebo Samuel.

According to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport, the San Francisco 49ers are going to try to trade wide receiver Deebo Samuel this offseason. Last season Samuel was rumored to be a player the Pittsburgh Steelers were interested in so they should once again be one of the teams to reach out.

Samuel is in the final year of his contract and has a 2025 cap hit of $15.896 million. This is a bargain compared to the top wide receiver contracts in the league but Samuel has never really established himself as a true No. 1 receiver.

Nevertheless, Samuel paired up with George Pickens would be a dynamic tandem as Samuel excels at working inside and can take advantage of the coverage Pickens draws downfield.

Pittsburgh should have multiple options if they want to upgrade the wide receiver position via trade. In addition to Samuel, the Los Angeles Rams are going to try to trade Cooper Kupp in the offseason as well.

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Should Steelers trade Calvin Austin III for Rams star WR Cooper Kupp?

The Steelers could make a strong trade offer for Rams WR Cooper Kupp, and Calvin Austin III may be the key to making it happen.

It’s no secret that one of the biggest names on the wide receiver trade market is none other than Rams superstar Cooper Kupp. Kupp has been a staple of the Rams’ offense since being drafted in 2017, and with his time in Los Angeles eventually coming to an end, the Pittsburgh Steelers could offer a deal that no one could refuse.

One of the key speculative trade packages surrounding Kupp involves either a Day 2 or Day 3 draft selection, potentially two of the latter. However, the Rams would be losing one of their best receivers with little compensation to draft Kupp’s replacement—and that is where Pittsburgh Steelers WR Calvin Austin III comes into play.

Austin has everything the Rams would want in a short-term WR2/3 replacement for the 2025 season—he’s fast, he’s cheap, he returns punts, and he’s young.

It’s hard to argue that the Rams could receive a better package than a fifth- or sixth-rounder and Austin for Kupp. If the Pittsburgh Steelers want the former 2021 Triple Crown wide receiver in the Steel City for 2025, the team should bid farewell to Austin.

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Giants stars appear to be lobbying for Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp

Several New York Giants stars, including wide receiver Malik Nabers, appear to be lobbying for a Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp trade.

The Los Angeles Rams are exploring trade options for wide receiver Cooper Kupp and that could have a ripple effect of unintended consequences.

Kelly Stafford, the wife of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, has expressed public frustration with that decision and says her family would potentially be open to moving on themselves if push came to shove.

Should such a scenario come to fruition, wide receiver Malik Nabers would likely be interested in the New York Giants reaching out to both Stafford and Kupp.

“It’s a pretty good riddle. I don’t know if everybody will solve this one,” Nabers said of his since-deleted cryptic posts on “Fantasy Football Happy Hour” with Matthew Berry. “I’m not giving it away a lot but I feel like people know what I’m aiming for.”

You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to read between those lines.

“His arm talent is crazy. His sidearm is crazy,” Nabers said of Stafford. “The way he throws the ball, his angles, it’s crazy. He knows the defense. He’s a veteran quarterback. He led that team to the playoffs without those receivers he was playing with at the beginning of the season when they were hurt. Then when he got them back, he was able to do a lot of great things. I like the way he throws the football.”

Nabers admitted he’s also a student of Kupp’s game.

“I watched a lot of Cooper Kupp film, especially when I was in the slot at LSU,” he said. “Just trying to do a lot of option routes. His option route is probably one of the best I’ve seen. Having him in the room and I can learn from that — it’s always great to learn from a veteran.

“I got a chance to learn from Allen Robinson when he was there in the spring. I learned a lot from him so if I can learn from Cooper Kupp, I can exceed my game, understand a lot. I’m young, so I’m trying to get as much game as possible for years to come.”

Shortly after word broke that the Rams would seek to trade Kupp, Giants offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor, who is actively attempting to recruit multiple stars simultaneously, chimed in.

Stafford and Kupp landing in East Rutherford is unlikely but stranger things have happened.

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Marshall Faulk understands why the Rams are moving on from Cooper Kupp

Marshall Faulk gives his take on the Rams’ plans to move on from Cooper Kupp, and he doesn’t sound surprised by the decision

Cooper Kupp announced some unexpected news on Tuesday when he posted on social media that the Los Angeles Rams are seeking to trade him immediately. Kupp has spent the last eight years with the Rams but with a sizable contract and a decrease in production, the team is choosing to move on from the veteran receiver.

While some may not understand the decision by the Rams, Marshall Faulk doesn’t seem terribly surprised by it. He sees an older, oft-injured receiver who’s past his prime on a team that needs to pay Puka Nacua down the line and is built around its run game.

Here’s what Faulk said about the Rams’ decision to move on from Kupp during an interview with USA TODAY on Radio Row in New Orleans.

“In this case, what they understand is football is a young man’s game and when you start missing games and you’re not available – because availability is your No. 1 ability – then you might find yourself being moved,” Faulk said. “And Cooper Kupp the last three years has missed a bunch of games. He’s been reliable and they’re deciding they have to invest money in Puka. They understand an offensive line, why it’s what they have. They have a young running back in Kyren Williams that they’re going to continue to ride and they’re OK with moving people.”

The Rams have never been afraid to move on from core players, whether it was Todd Gurley, Jared Goff, Jalen Ramsey or Robert Woods. Kupp will be the next player on that list, though his impact on the franchise has been greater than any of the four aforementioned names.

It won’t be easy to see Kupp playing elsewhere next season but Faulk understands the nature of the business, and Kupp’s time with the Rams appears to have run out.

NFC West Watch: Did Matt Stafford’s wife suggest he wants a trade?

NFC West Watch: Did Matt Stafford’s wife suggest he wants a trade?

The Seattle Seahawks squandered a division lead not once but twice last season to the Los Angeles Rams. Instead of the Seahawks claiming their first NFC West title since 2020, a mediocre Rams team came out of nowhere and snatched it away. However, LA could potentially look drastically different in 2025 as they attempt to defend their division crown.

Rams star wide receiver Cooper Kupp already announced on his personal Twitter account that the team intends to trade him. Kupp is not thrilled by the decision, nor should he, but this is the unfortunate reality of the business side of professional football.

Apparently, Kupp is not the only member of the Rams team who is upset by the decision to move away from the MVP of Super Bowl LVI. Kelly Stafford, wife of quarterback Matthew Stafford, took to her podcast recently and had quite an interesting rant. Mrs. Stafford explained how her husband values winning and wants to be a winner. She is confused how trading away Kupp allows the Rams to continue to be a winner, especially since they were so close from reaching the NFC Championship game.

Mrs. Stafford’s comments seem to insinuate perhaps she and her husband would be open to moving on, should the Rams no longer present the best opportunity to win.

The Rams have enjoyed a tremendous amount of success with Matthew Stafford at the helm. They won the Super Bowl in his first year with the team, and made back-to-back playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024, as well as winning two NFC West titles. But I would not be surprised if LA would share a mutual interest in moving off Stafford as well.

Back in 2023, there were rumblings the Rams would “love to trade” Stafford. While the team eventually denied it adamantly, it is hard to take them fully at their word. Stafford has a cap hit of $49.6 million in 2025, and that balloons up to $53.6 million in 2026. Stafford’s dead cap for 2025 is also $49.6 so moving on from him may not financially make sense, but we’ve seen teams be willing to eat more and more dead money for only a season.

Stafford will turn 37 tomorrow, and constant injury concerns aren’t getting any better for the 15-year veteran.

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Malik Nabers raves about Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp in wake of cryptic tweets

Malik Nabers neither confirmed nor denied his cryptic tweets were about Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp, but he loves both players

Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers will neither confirm nor deny what his cryptic “9 and 10” tweets were about, but it’s safe to assume he was referring to Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp.

Nabers, who badly wants improved quarterback play from the Giants in 2025, was asked about his tweets at the Super Bowl this week and while he didn’t directly say they were about the Rams’ stars, he clearly has a ton of respect for both players.

“It’s a pretty good riddle. I don’t know if everybody will solve this one,” he said sarcastically on “Fantasy Football Happy Hour” with Matthew Berry. “I’m not giving it away a lot but I feel like people know what I’m aiming for.”

Berry, being the savvy host that he is, asked Nabers in a general sense what he likes about Stafford’s game. Nabers raved about Stafford’s arm talent and the way he manipulates his throwing angles in the pocket, while also complimenting his knowledge of opposing defenses as a veteran quarterback.

“His arm talent is crazy. His sidearm is crazy,” Nabers said. “The way he throws the ball, his angles, it’s crazy. He knows the defense. He’s a veteran quarterback. He led that team to the playoffs without those receivers he was playing with at the beginning of the season when they were hurt. Then when he got them back, he was able to do a lot of great things. I like the way he throws the football.”

As for Kupp, Nabers left no doubt about it. He’d love to play with No. 10.

Having studied Kupp’s game over the years, he knows he could learn a lot from the All-Pro receiver. And that’s all he wants to do at this point in his young career: learn from the best.

“I watched a lot of Cooper Kupp film, especially when I was in the slot at LSU,” he said. “Just trying to do a lot of option routes. His option route is probably one of the best I’ve seen. Having him in the room and I can learn from that – it’s always great to learn from a veteran. I got a chance to learn from Allen Robinson when he was there in the spring. I learned a lot from him so if I can learn from Cooper Kupp, I can exceed my game, understand a lot. I’m young, so I’m trying to get as much game as possible for years to come.”

So while Nabers didn’t come out and say he wants to be teammates with Stafford and Kupp, it doesn’t take an expert to know what he was referring to with his tweets. He wants both stars in New York with him.

If Steelers acquire Cooper Kupp, George Pickens must go in 2025

If the Pittsburgh Steelers trade for Cooper Kupp, they may need to move on from George Pickens in 2025 due to growing character concerns.

If the Pittsburgh Steelers are able to pull off a trade for Rams WR Cooper Kupp, the Steel City should seriously consider trading away WR George Pickens.

Pickens’ attitude and maturity were consistently in the headlines for the wrong reasons throughout the 2024 season. From hiding in an equipment room to avoid media responsibilities to displaying profane messages on his mouthguard, as well as being late to an important Week 17 matchup against the Chiefs—and much more—Pickens’ negatives far outweigh his positives.

Kupp is the literal antithesis of Pickens—humble, hard-working, and a great teammate—while Pickens can be described as braggadocious, lacking punctuality, and putting his emotions over the team’s desire to win.

Pickens’ contract will expire at the end of the 2025 season, and if the Pittsburgh Steelers are hesitant to re-sign him due to character concerns, trading him seems like a no-brainer.

However, with Calvin Austin III being the next man up in the receiver room, it’s no wonder Pickens still remains in Pittsburgh. But acquiring Kupp could jumpstart the trade process, helping the Steelers avoid another Diontae Johnson mistake.

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Steelers receive great news regarding potential Rams Cooper Kupp trade

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reports the Rams will take on part of Cooper Kupp’s contract, making the trade even more enticing for the Steelers.

One wide receiver has taken the 2025 offseason trade rumors by storm—and that is none other than Los Angeles Rams superstar WR Cooper Kupp.

Kupp announced on social media that the Rams informed him of their desire to trade him this offseason, much to the delight of the Pittsburgh Steelers. NFL insider Ian Rapoport provided the Black and Gold with even better news—the Rams are willing to take on some of Kupp’s contract.

Rapoport described the Rams’ willingness to pay part of the money Kupp is owed on his current contract, such as covering his $7.5 million signing bonus, in order to “make the trade a little easier.”

The trade already seemed like a slam dunk for the Pittsburgh Steelers, especially considering that Kupp isn’t expected to demand much in trade compensation due to his age and previous injury concerns. However, the news that the Steelers could acquire him without taking on the entirety of his nearly $30 million owed in 2025 makes this deal even more of a steal.

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Steelers listed as favorites to land Rams superstar WR Cooper Kupp

According to betting odds, the Pittsburgh Steelers are favored to land Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp via trade in 2025.

Trade rumors and speculation have been running rampant since former All-Pro WR Cooper Kupp announced on social media that his time with the Los Angeles Rams would be coming to an end via trade. Although Kupp expressed his disapproval of the eventual move, he is ready to exceed expectations in 2025.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently listed by the popular sports betting site Bovada as favorites to land Kupp, with +150 odds. The runner-up in betting odds to land Kupp is none other than the Los Angeles Chargers at +250, followed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions, who are tied at +750.

Betting odds are hardly a reliable source for predicting where a player will definitively land. However, it is a positive sign that the Pittsburgh Steelers may be serious contenders to acquire Kupp from the Rams.

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There is no exact word on what the Rams would actually demand for Kupp, but many expect the trade compensation to include one or two Day 3 draft selections, which the Pittsburgh Steelers should be more than capable of sending their way.

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Bengals trade idea, plus contract juggling and comp pick, isn’t all that bad

Some interesting ideas to keep in mind about a possible Bengals trade.

The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t going to stop being mentioned as a top destination for wideouts in free agency and the draft until a decision on the future of Tee Higgins becomes clear. 

Likewise, the Bengals won’t stop being mentioned alongside Los Angeles Rams wideout Cooper Kupp until they either figure out the Higgins situation or something else happens with Kupp.

Higgins remains priority No. 1 for the Bengals right now. But there are some interesting points raised from a Bengals perspective worth examining, courtesy of Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport, who suggests a fourth-round pick might be enough to make a trade happen:

“The Rams may be balking at paying Kupp over the next two seasons, but L.A.’s opponent in Super Bowl LVI would actually be saving money by swapping out Higgins for Kupp–and that’s without restructuring Kupp’s deal. The compensatory pick the Bengals get for Higgins’ departure would be higher than what they are giving up here.”

A fourth-round pick to acquire Kupp isn’t all that bad when considering the other notes there. For one, the compensatory pick for losing Higgins would be notable.

And two, there’s always the possibility that Kupp restructures his current contract upon arrival. That would free up more cap space than anticipated if he’s the Higgins replacement, letting the team funnel more cash into other problem areas (interior offensive line and the entire defense).

RELATED: Ja’Marr Chase slips up with revealing comment about Bengals’ season

As we’ve stressed repeatedly, the Bengals aren’t really a legit Kupp trade candidate. Higgins is a much better option and, beyond the trade cost and contract, Kupp is on the wrong side of 30 with spotty attendance woes the past few years.

That said, if the worst happens with Higgins, factors like comp picks and some contract wizardry (either restructure after trade or team-friendly in free agency) are factors to keep in mind with Kupp.

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