Niners Nation
The 49ers early-season struggles have likely kept a top rival from folding.
Despite stumbling out of the starting gate, the Los Angeles Rams are just a half-game back in the NFC West and are shifting their strategy. While reports emerged earlier this month that the Rams were shopping star wide receiver Cooper Kupp, the Rams have shifted gears after seeing an opportunity in the jumble atop the NFC West. According to ESPN NFL Insiders Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler, the Rams have taken Kupp off the market and are not going to be anywhere.
The 49ers would surely have loved for the Rams to pull the trigger on a full-blown firesale, taking one of their biggest competitors for the division title out of contention. However, Sean McVay and the Rams have apparently shifted gears. It’s one frustrating domino effect of the 49ers own early-season struggles. If San Francisco was 6-2 and more entrenched atop the standings, perhaps the Rams would be more eager to part with some of their most proven pieces. Instead, the Niners now have another team to worry about in the division.
Kupp had struggled to return to elite production since his career year in 2021, when he recorded 1,947 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns on 145 receptions. He’s remained effective when healthy but only appeared in 21 games during the 2022-2023 seasons. So far this year, Kupp has racked up 23 receptions for 2 touchdowns and 198 receiving yards in three games.
