Tag: rams news

How 49ers can get in the mix as NFC West rival parts with star WR

Cooper Kupp in red and gold?

Bringing in additional depth at wide receiver won’t be at the top of the list of offseason priorities for the San Francisco 49ers, but it’s certainly something that should be on their radar while they navigate some of their bigger-ticket issues.

While it’s not a spot they’ll be looking to make a major splash, if the Los Angeles Rams wind up letting go of wide receiver Cooper Kupp, the 49ers should be first in line to try and lure him to the Bay Area.

Kupp announced via Twitter (currently X) that the Rams intend to trade him this offseason. While that may be their goal, there’s no guarantee the 32-year-old who has played in 33 games the last three years will fetch much in the trade market. Los Angeles may wind up releasing the WR, something the Rams Wire managing editor Cam DaSilva mentioned is on the table for the Rams this offseason:

Cutting Kupp might be the simplest and likeliest option for the Rams. That doesn’t mean it’d be easy to do, but it’s often what decisions like this come down to.

Unfortunately, it’s also the worst option financially for the Rams because they would only save $7.52 million by cutting Kupp before June 1. Even as a post-June 1 cut, they’d save $15 million, but only because his total dead cap charge of $22.26 million would be split between the next two years instead of all coming in 2025.

There’s certainly some risk that comes with acquiring Kupp. San Francisco’s hopes of adding him via trade are close to nil given that they’re in the same division as the Rams.

Even if he’s released, the risk of adding him might just be enough to turn the 49ers off to the idea entirely. However, San Francisco would be aiming to utilize Kupp in a lower-volume way that may help him stay healthier.

Despite playing in only 33 games the last three years Kupp has still amassed 293 targets in that stretch, or 8.9 per game. For comparison, the 49ers target leaders the last three years have racked up 332 targets (6.9 per game) in 48 total games.

In eight seasons Kupp has posted 7,776 receiving yards and 57 touchdowns on 664 receptions. He was the 2021 Offensive Player of the Year after winning the wide receiver triple crown, leading the league in catches, yards and touchdowns.

Kupp is an outstanding route runner and blocker who is capable of playing multiple positions in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, so the fit would be seamless while helping bolster a 49ers receiving corps that is suddenly littered with question marks.

Perhaps Kupp will be unaffordable if he hits the open market. He may even be averse to joining the Rams’ division rival. Either way, if the Rams are unable to trade Kupp and release him instead, the 49ers should be first in line to try and land him.

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Rams Wire Exclusive: Josh Wallace talks rookie season, lessons learned and more

Rams CB Josh Wallace joins Rams Wire for an exclusive interview about his rookie season and differences between Sean McVay and Jim Harbaugh

Los Angeles Rams rookie cornerback Josh Wallace was among the team’s biggest surprises in 2024. An undrafted free agent who made the 53-man roster, Wallace contributed both on defense and special teams. He appears to be a building blocker for Sean McVay moving forward.

Wallace recently spoke exclusively with Rams Wire. Wallace discussed his rookie season, making the roster, being coached by McVay and Jim Harbaugh, winning a National Championship, and so much more.

Justin Melo: It was a whirlwind of a rookie season. You signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent and made the 53-man roster right out of training camp. What will you best remember about that period?

Josh Wallace: Mostly the relationships I built along the way. Of course that training camp period was my first time meeting the veterans, and also the rookies that came in with me in our class. The relationships I built throughout that brief period of time, that’s what I’m going to remember the most.

JM: What’s the biggest lesson you learned throughout your rookie season?

Josh Wallace: I really learned the importance of taking care of your body throughout an NFL season. Your best ability is availability. That was definitely the biggest lesson I learned this past season.

JM: You didn’t just make the roster. You immediately contributed.  You played a ton of defensive snaps throughout the season, starting right away in Week 2. What do you think it was about your mindset that allowed you to play right away?

Josh Wallace: I stayed ready for my opportunity. That’s all it really was. You can’t always control what happens in this league, what happens in front of you. When your opportunity comes, no matter how hard you’re playing, you have to be prepared for the moment.

I feel like I did a great job staying prepared this season. I started a handful of games as a rookie. Being ready when your number gets called, that’s what it comes down to in this league. That’s what it’s about at the end of the day.

JM: It wasn’t the first time you handled a step up in competition with ease. You went from UMass to Michigan in 2023 and won a National Championship. Being on that stage, is that when you felt like there was no doubt you could play at the NFL level?

Josh Wallace: I mean, I’ve always had that confidence in myself, even when I was at UMass. I’m sure there were a lot of people that didn’t believe in me until I did it at Michigan, but I always believed in myself. I believed I would make it to the NFL one day even when I was a freshman at UMass. I made it happen for myself.

JM: You’ve been blessed in recent years, being coached by Jim Harbaugh and Sean McVay.  How are they similar, and how are they different?

Josh Wallace: They’re both player coaches at the end of the day. Us as players, you want to play for both McVay and Harbaugh. They’re great people off the field. They have great relationships with their players, and with their families. They care about their family, and that’s important to me as well, because family is everything. That made me want to play for them. That’s why I love playing for them.

I would actually say they’re not too different from each other, besides the age gap (laughs). That’s the biggest difference.

JM: No doubt (laughs). You also contributed a bunch on special teams this season. Did you have to acclimate and adjust to that role? It certainly helped you make the roster, and be active all year long.

Josh Wallace: Coming in as an undrafted guy, I knew playing special teams gave me my best shot to make the team. I heard that from a few of my older friends around the league, guys who came in under similar circumstances.

I did what I had to do to make the team. Whenever my opportunity came, I was ready to make splash plays, even on special teams. 

JM: We’ve appreciated your time today. What are your goals for this offseason as you prepare for your sophomore season?

Josh Wallace: My goal is to continue building on the rookie season I had in 2024. I want to develop and earn a bigger role on the team. I’m spending the offseason with my family. I’m going to continue taking great care of my family. I’m working on self-improvement. That’s all I can do.

I’m going to keep controlling what I can control.

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Vikings cut ex-Broncos QB; Rams add former Denver RB

The Vikings waived ex-Broncos QB Brett Rypien and the Rams signed ex-Denver RB Royce Freeman on Tuesday.

A pair of former Denver Broncos players hit the NFL’s transaction wire on Tuesday.

First, former Broncos backup quarterback Brett Rypien was waived by the Minnesota Vikings to make room for Daniel Jones to be activated to the active roster from the practice squad. If he clears waivers, Rypien might be a candidate to re-sign on Minnesota’s practice squad.

Rypien, 28, signed with Denver as an undrafted free agent out of Boise State following the 2019 NFL draft. He spent four years with the Broncos, going 2-1 as a fill-in starter. Rypien has since spent time with the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, Chicago Bears and Vikings.

The second move involving an ex-Denver player today was running back Royce Freeman joining the Rams. Just one day after having his contract terminated by the Bears, Freeman quickly landed on L.A.’s practice squad.

Freeman might now get a chance to appear in a playoff game with the Rams, a team he is familiar with after spending the 2023 season in L.A.

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Chase Blackburn has turned around Rams’ special teams with strong 2nd half

Chase Blackburn has helped the Rams turn around what was one of the worst special teams units in football

At the beginning of the season, one could argue no coach needed a strong 2024 as badly as Chase Blackburn. The scrutinized special teams coordinator was constantly questioned for having one of the worst kicking units in football.

Over the course of the season, Joshua Karty’s struggles and the hiring of Scott Frost poured gasoline on the flames that encumbered his seat. However, Blackburn currently sits as an NFC West champion with one of the most intriguing punting units in football and the kicking game finally seeing some consistency.

Ethan Evans is tied for the eighth-most punts downed inside the 20-yard line and with Xavier Smith’s new role as a gunner, the amount of fair catches by opponents should start to rise.

Smith himself has carved out a role as a gunner and returner, a credit to Blackburn’s work and vision. On kick returns, Jordan Whittington has found a home and contributed in a big way, providing a spark every time he touches the ball.

Joshua Karty still has a long way to go in order to emulate his production at Stanford. He is still missing PATs but he’s been perfect on field goals over the last four games. That’s nine makes in nine attempts, including a 53-yard field goal that played a massive part in defeating Arizona.

With Frost’s departure to UCF and the play of the special teams unit, Blackburn looks to have sealed his future in Los Angeles.

Cooper Kupp’s recent struggles show his role in Rams’ offense must evolve

Cooper Kupp’s recent poor form could change if the Rams modify how they use him come playoff time.

It is no secret that Cooper Kupp has struggled to find the consistency once expected from the All-Pro wide receiver but for as much as he may get criticized, his current role in the Rams’ offense has stifled his ability to contribute.

Kupp is no longer the receiver who can beat man coverage or separate from DBs on crossing routes, so it doesn’t make sense to use him in that way. Kupp’s strengths come from his ability to exploit zone coverages by outmaneuvering defenders and finding voids on the field. Kupp is an excellent middle-of-the-field target who is dangerous on short and medium routes, often finding success when he’s able to plant his feet to make the catch.

Kupp should only play from the slot as he is no longer a legit threat on the outside. If Kupp can be installed as Matthew Stafford’s hot read, the Rams could be even more effective at handling blitzes. Keeping Kupp closer to Stafford will help generate a more potent passing offense.

The Rams could also put Kupp in the backfield. As a modified “H-back,” Kupp could flank Stafford in both the pistol and the shotgun while still leaving room for a natural running back. Such a move would either align a linebacker against Kupp or would force a defensive adjustment that the Rams could exploit in the run game.

Whatever Kupp is being asked to do right now is not working. He has just four catches for 53 yards in the last three games, struggling to separate and get open for Stafford.

It’s time for a change and the playoffs are a perfect time to do it.

Xavier Smith has become an unsung hero on special teams for the Rams

The Rams have to consider re-signing Xavier Smith in the offseason

There’s no uniform way to make it in the NFL. There’s no college, no coach, no trainer that can turn a prospect into a contributing player. The success of a player in this league comes down to the person himself and how much he’s willing to do to make it.

Xavier Smith embodies that notion as he has not let physical limitations, nor the opinions of others derail his dream of making it to the NFL. Despite standing at 5-foot-9, 176 pounds, Smith has been willing to absorb contact and put himself in some of the most dangerous jobs in football, with the price he pays leading directly to the team’s success.

Smith has operated as the team’s primary punt returner since Week 3 of this season. He has also worked on kick returns, as well. However, Smith may have found another permanent role for himself.

Smith has excelled since being moved to gunner. One of the primary reasons for the Rams’ win against Arizona, Smith played a pivotal role in containing the Cardinals’ return while helping pin Arizona inside their own 20. Smith’s speed matches up with Ethan Evans’ average punt distance, making the Rams’ special teams unit a dangerous and game-changing threat.

It was his speed and ball skills that helped him catch one of Evans’ punts inside the 5-yard line against the Cardinals on Saturday night, pinning Arizona deep and leading to a drive that barely went anywhere.

Smith is also a natural wide receiver so he adds depth to that room while being a perfect player to scheme a fake punt around.

Smith is a cheap, viable option who fills four different roles by himself. That’s as bang for your buck as it gets and at 27 years old, Smith has a lot of football left in him.

Puka Nacua already in the Rams’ top 20 for career receiving yards after only 28 games

Puka Nacua hasn’t even finished his second NFL season and he already has more receiving yards than all but 19 players in Rams history

Puka Nacua has been the focal point of the Rams’ passing offense since he was drafted. He once again dazzled with 10 catches for 129 yards against the Cardinals on Saturday, accounting for 10 of Matthew Stafford’s 17 completions and 129 of his 189 passing yards.

His quick start shattered the rookie record books for both the Rams and the NFL, cementing himself as one of the league’s best.

The Rams have been home to some of the best pass catchers in NFL history, including Hall of Famers Isaac Bruce and Elroy Hirsch, along with triple-crown winner Cooper Kupp.

However, Nacua is determined to eclipse all of them and he took another big step in doing so on Saturday. With his 129 yards, he’s already cracked the top 20 for career receiving yards by a Rams player.

It should be noted that Nacua has appeared in only 28 career games, missing time earlier this season due to a nagging knee injury.

Nacua’s 2,476 yards put him just ahead of Kenny Britt’s 2,431 yards. Britt’s total came in 47 career games with the franchise, which shows how quickly Nacua has risen up the ranks in Rams history.

How have Rams fared historically vs. Cardinals at SoFi Stadium?

The Rams and Cardinals have both had success in SoFi but the Rams come in with certain circumstances that gives them an edge in 2024.

Since its opening in 2020, the Rams and Cardinals have faced off five times at SoFi Stadium. The Rams hold a slight advantage over their division rivals, having won three times at home during that stretch.

However, when you look at those games beyond just the scoreboard, there’s a clear narrative that gives the Rams a small advantage entering their matchup on Saturday night.

This matchup is not necessarily a must-win game for the Rams but it’s pretty close. A loss sets up a win and in-game next week against Seattle for the NFC West but if the Rams beat Arizona on Saturday, they set up a potential division-clinching scenario that could allow them to rest their starters during the last game of the season.

LA needs a win plus four total wins from the Bengals, Browns, Bills, Commanders, 49ers and Vikings. If four or more of those teams win (and LA also wins), the Rams take the NFC West based on their strength of victory.

So how does this impact Saturday’s game? The Rams and Cardinals have played at SoFi in two “must-win” scenarios. Both have resulted in double-digit wins for the Rams.

In 2020, the Rams defeated the Cardinals 18-7 to clinch the final playoff spot in the NFC in their season finale. The Rams went on to upset the Seahawks in Seattle in the wild-card round before falling to the Packers in Green Bay.

In 2021, the Rams blew out Arizona 34-11 in the wild-card round, eventually ending their year as Super Bowl champions.

The Cardinals have yet to defeat the Rams in Los Angeles after November this decade and there’s a significant increase in production by the Rams towards the end of the year – another positive sign for a team desperate to make the postseason.

The Cardinals are looking for their first season sweep of the series since 2014.

Cardinals could be down to their 3rd-string RB vs. Rams on Saturday

The Cardinals could be without their top two running backs on Saturday when the Rams host them in Week 17

Since their 41-10 defeat to the Cardinals in Arizona, the Rams have been looking for revenge in their pursuit of the postseason. In a hotly contested division race, both sides put up potent offenses using contrasting philosophies.

Once their receiving corps became healthy, the Rams used a quick passing attack as the basis of their offense. The return of Puka Nacua has led to successful results for not only the offense but the team as a whole. Nacua missed the week two matchup between these two franchises.

The Cardinals went in a separate direction with a devastating rushing attack. Star James Connor has achieved his second consecutive 1,000-yard season while rookie Trey Benson has averaged 4.6 yards per carry during his limited opportunities.

Despite being out of the playoff hunt, the Cardinals are looking to play spoiler and derail their division rivals’ ambitions for another NFC West title. However, Arizona’s desires have hit another roadblock as the Cardinals are preparing for a game-day scenario without Connor and Benson.

Both running backs appeared on the injury report after being limited all week, and they’re both questionable to play on Saturday.

With Arizona out of playoff contention, it will be a tough decision for Jonathan Gannon to risk the health of two top producers in a game that will not impact how his team’s season will end. With the recent devastating news regarding Houston’s Tank Dell, who suffered a season-ending injury that will most likely keep him out for at least the start of the 2025 season, coaches may be rethinking their approach to the final two games of the year.

If Connor and Benson are a no-go, it will be either DeeJay Dallas or Michael Carter leading the backfield on Saturday. They’ve combined for just 13 total carries this season.

Rams could be preparing to overhaul their wide receiver room in 2025

With multiple expiring contracts and over $50 million in cap space, the Rams may have some new faces at WR in 2025.

The only wide receivers under contract for the Los Angeles Rams next year are Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp and Jordan Whittington. Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell, Tyler Johnson and Xavier Smith are all set to be free agents, making it possible for them to sign elsewhere. While Smith may return due to his abilities as a returner, that’s at least three roster spots that the Rams will look to fill this offseason at the wide receiver position.

It remains possible the Rams will bring back Robinson as they did last offseason, it’s become clear that Atwell and Johnson are not exactly in the franchises’ plans moving forward, calling into question how GM Les Snead will address such a pressing need.

Another element to that question is the future of Kupp. He will be 32 years old in June and is set to cap hits of $29.8 million and $27.3 million over the next two seasons. He’s aging and has an extensive injury history, and he’s already won a triple crown, Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP.

How much more football does Kupp have left in him? And at this point, how much longer does he want to play for? More importantly, what is the succession plan for the WR2 role once Kupp hangs it up? That has to be a major question circling inside the organization.

While several players will be re-signed, the veteran free-agent receiver class looks promising, as does the 2025 draft class. With the Rams getting younger at every other position, perhaps it is time to add some youth to the pass-catching core.