ClutchPoints
Chris Jones gave his take on Jalen Hurts while Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said his team is in good shape injury-wise for Super Bowl 59. But peeking ahead to the 2025 season, here’s the perfect trade the Chiefs must offer the Rams for Cooper Kupp.
First, any trade for Kupp has to be dipped in reality. While Kupp had a great season in 2021, that’s the only year he started a full slate of games. Over the last three seasons, Kupp played in 9, 12, and 11 (this year) contests.
So there’s no break-the-bank trade here. Kupp will be 32 years old in June. The Chiefs can deal for him, but it doesn’t have to be a high price. Perhaps a low-end draft pick would work.
Kupp’s value is more modest than some might imagine, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on espn.com via heavy.com.
“The executives I’ve been texting with today do believe that Cooper Kupp will have a market,” Fowler said. “Because he’s quarterback friendly, he can make contested catches, is still the smartest guy on any field he steps on. And he is a hard worker that can set a tone with a new franchise.
“But we might not be talking about a robust market because of the age. The declining production, some of the injuries, and then he’s due $20 million next year. (And) $5.5 million of that is guaranteed. I don’t doubt that the Rams would eat some of the money to facilitate a trade, so that could certainly help matters.”
Another reason the Chiefs make sense is because they were linked to Kupp during the 2024 season, according to a post on X by Dianna Russini.
“The Rams and the Chiefs discussed Cooper Kupp, but the Super Bowl champs needed to trade with a team that was willing to take on a large chunk of the salary and didn’t want to give up high picks.”
The Chiefs eventually grabbed DeAndre Hopkins, who hasn’t proven to be very valuable. Hopkins has just three catches for 18 yards over his last three games.
With a $29.7 million cap hit coming for the 2025 season, Kupp acknowledged his days in Los Angeles are likely limited, according to his post on X.
“I was informed that the team will be seeking a trade immediately and will be working with me and my family to find the right place to continue competing for championships. I don’t agree with the decision and always believed it was going to begin and end in LA.
Still, if there’s one thing that I have learned over the years: there are so many things that are out of your control, but it is how you respond to these things that you will look back on and remember. I have taken so much pride in playing alongside my teammates for the LA community, so thank you for embracing my...
