NFL Trade Rumors: Cooper Kupp Deal Was Discussed by Chiefs, Rams Before Hopkins Move

NFL Trade Rumors: Cooper Kupp Deal Was Discussed by Chiefs, Rams Before Hopkins Move

In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of the NFL, rumors of trades and player movements are a constant backdrop during the offseason and in-season periods. The 2023 NFL season was no different, with speculation surrounding key players, their future teams, and potential trades making headlines daily. Among the most talked-about players in trade circles was Cooper Kupp, the star wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams. However, before DeAndre Hopkins, another high-profile receiver, was dealt to the Tennessee Titans, there were reports that Kupp’s name was involved in trade discussions between the Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs.

While trades are often viewed as dramatic, one-off events, they’re typically the result of months of behind-the-scenes conversations, strategic negotiations, and shifting team priorities. The situation surrounding Kupp’s potential trade paints a larger picture of how the NFL’s elite franchises, particularly the Chiefs and Rams, assess their roster needs, cap space, and long-term goals.

The Prelude: A Shift in Rams’ Direction

The 2023 NFL season has been a challenging one for the Los Angeles Rams, who are still in the midst of a rebuilding phase following their Super Bowl LVI victory. The team’s window of contention, propelled by stars like quarterback Matthew Stafford, defensive tackle Aaron Donald, and wide receiver Cooper Kupp, has closed, at least for the time being. With aging veterans and a roster that has undergone substantial changes, the Rams front office, led by head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead, began making difficult decisions to retool the roster for future seasons.

Kupp, who had been the focal point of the Rams’ offense for years, playing a critical role in their Super Bowl win, has been among the most productive receivers in the NFL since entering the league. However, injuries and the team’s shifting priorities under a new financial structure made Kupp a potential trade candidate. The Rams’ cap situation, coupled with their need to build through the draft, left the door open for a potential Kupp deal, especially given his age (31 in 2024) and lucrative contract extension signed in 2020.

Despite his importance to the team, the Rams knew that they were likely at a crossroads with Kupp. The idea of trading the star wideout would have been a difficult one for the organization to entertain, but the reality of a rebuilding team and a bloated cap space made it plausible. In this context, teams with Super Bowl aspirations, such as the Kansas City Chiefs, may have seen an opportunity to strike a deal that would provide them with an elite receiving weapon.

Chiefs’ Interest in Kupp: A Quest for More Firepower

The Kansas City Chiefs, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid, have consistently been one of the NFL’s most potent offenses. With Mahomes at the helm, the Chiefs have had a high-powered attack, primarily fueled by the remarkable connection between Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce. However, while the Chiefs have boasted one of the league’s top offenses in recent years, they have also been in search of a true, reliable number-one wide receiver to complement Kelce.

The departure of Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins in 2022 left a significant void in the Chiefs’ wide receiver room. Although the team found some success with a committee of receivers in the absence of Hill, including players like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and rookie Skyy Moore, the Chiefs lacked a true WR1 to take the pressure off Kelce and give Mahomes a consistent downfield target. The Chiefs’ offense became more reliant on Kelce’s playmaking ability and Mahomes’ improvisation, but many analysts and fans alike acknowledged that an elite wideout would elevate their offense even further.

Enter Cooper Kupp.

Kupp was coming off a disappointing 2022 season that was marred by injuries. He was sidelined for the majority of the year, leaving Rams fans and league observers questioning his future with the team. However, when healthy, Kupp had been one of the most dynamic receivers in the NFL. His ability to run precise routes, combined with his incredible hands and football IQ, made him a prototypical number-one wide receiver. For the Chiefs, adding a player of Kupp’s caliber to their offense would have been a game-changer.

The Chiefs had also dealt with concerns about their receiver group in the past. Despite their success, the wideout position remained an area of need, and Kupp, with his ability to contribute immediately, would have filled that void. Not only would he have bolstered Mahomes’ receiving corps, but Kupp’s elite route-running and chemistry with Mahomes could have pushed the Chiefs’ offense to new heights.

The Trade Discussions: Chiefs and Rams in Negotiations

According to reports that surfaced later in the year, the Chiefs and Rams had engaged in trade talks involving Kupp before Hopkins was eventually moved. The discussions reportedly began in the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft and extended into the summer months, as both teams evaluated their roster needs and salary cap constraints.

For the Rams, trading Kupp made sense on multiple levels. First, there was the financial aspect. Kupp’s contract, which pays him an average of $16.7 million per year, was a significant portion of the Rams’ salary cap, and the team’s cap situation was less than ideal. A trade would free up valuable cap space, allowing the Rams to either reallocate funds to younger players or sign free agents to fill other positions of need.

Second, there was the reality of the Rams’ rebuilding phase. While Kupp remained an elite talent, the Rams had several other pieces that could help them transition into a more sustainable future. The team’s front office had made it clear that they were in the process of resetting the roster, and moving Kupp could accelerate that process.

For the Chiefs, the possibility of acquiring Kupp would have been a tantalizing prospect. With the clock ticking on their Super Bowl window, adding Kupp would have been an immediate and impactful move. While the Chiefs had already made significant strides in rebuilding their receiving corps, Kupp’s skill set as a route runner, his understanding of high-pressure situations, and his experience in the postseason made him an ideal fit for Kansas City.

The Chiefs, however, faced their own financial challenges. Although they had room under the cap, adding Kupp would require moving other players or reworking contracts to make room for him. Additionally, the Chiefs would need to give up assets in the trade, whether in the form of draft picks or players.

Ultimately, the talks between the Chiefs and Rams did not result in a trade. Several factors played into the outcome, including concerns from both teams about the long-term fit and financial logistics. The Rams’ willingness to trade Kupp was tempered by the lack of offers that met their asking price, while the Chiefs, for all their interest, were not willing to break the bank to land the wide receiver.

The DeAndre Hopkins Move: A Similar Trade Scenario

As the Chiefs and Rams continued to deliberate over the Kupp trade, another veteran wide receiver—DeAndre Hopkins—became the subject of trade talks. Hopkins, who had been a staple of the Arizona Cardinals’ offense for several years, was looking for a change of scenery after a disappointing 2022 season, marked by injuries and the team’s internal turmoil. By the time the Chiefs considered Kupp, Hopkins had already been traded to the Tennessee Titans, signaling a shift in the market for veteran wideouts.

Hopkins’ move to Tennessee represented a different type of trade. The Titans, who were in the midst of their own rebuild, were looking to add a reliable, experienced pass-catcher to their offense. Hopkins, still one of the league’s top receivers when healthy, represented a strong acquisition for a Titans team that had struggled to find consistent weapons for quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

The fact that Hopkins was moved before Kupp could be dealt raised questions about the NFL trade market for wide receivers. While Hopkins, at 31 years old, had a similar age to Kupp, he had a much more reasonable contract, making him an easier trade candidate. Additionally, Hopkins was reportedly interested in playing for a contender, which brought the Chiefs back into the mix.

However, the Chiefs did not engage with the Cardinals on Hopkins as aggressively as they did with the Rams over Kupp. Ultimately, it was Tennessee that landed the star receiver, providing them with a veteran presence in the locker room and a viable deep threat for their offense.

Conclusion: What’s Next for Cooper Kupp?

As the 2023 season unfolds, Cooper Kupp remains with the Los Angeles Rams, but the whispers around his future continue to circulate. Whether he will stay with the team for the entirety of his contract or be moved at some point remains to be seen. The Rams are in the midst of a rebuilding phase, and Kupp’s future with the team could depend on how quickly they can develop young talent and restructure their roster. If the team continues to slide into a non-contending phase, a trade might still be in the cards.

On the other side, the Kansas City Chiefs remain one of the league’s top contenders, and the addition of a player like Kupp would still make a lot of sense. However, after the Hopkins move to Tennessee, and given the Chiefs’ current roster situation, it is unclear if they will revisit trade talks for Kupp in the near future.

What is clear, though, is that the Kupp trade rumors illustrate the ever-changing landscape of the NFL. Trades aren’t always about finding the right player but about finding the right fit at the right time. The Chiefs’ interest in Kupp, though not ultimately realized, represents the kind of high-level chess game that takes place behind closed doors in the NFL front offices. For Rams fans, Kupp remains