Steelers Now
Los Angeles Rams All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp is on the trade block, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have been tabbed as favorites to land the Super Bowl LVI MVP and 2021 NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
If a trade does come to fruition, the Rams could make life easier for the Steelers by eating some of his salary cap. NFL insider Ian Rapoport thinks that’s a realistic scenario for L.A. if they want to deal Kupp.
“My understanding is the Rams are at least willing to eat some of the money, potentially paying down the $7.5 million signing bonus which, a lot of that is fully guaranteed for Kupp, maybe easing the burden on an acquiring team, maybe making a trade a little easier,” Rapoport said.
Kupp, 31, has two seasons remaining on his contract with the Rams. He’s owed $20 million in 2025 and $19.85 million in 2026. Only $5 million of that money is guaranteed.
According to betcalifornia.com, Pittsburgh is projected to have a 15.4 percent chance (+550) of landing Kupp followed by the New England Patriots and Washington Commanders, who are each listed at having a 14.3 percent chance (+600) of landing him.
There had been speculation about Kupp’s future with the Rams following the end of the regular season. He confirmed those beliefs on Monday when he posted a farewell on social media.
“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,” Kupp wrote. “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.”
Kupp is not the player he used to be and has had three straight seasons that have been impacted by injury. In 2023 and 2024, Kupp played in just 12 games while dealing with multiple ankle injuries and a hamstring issue. In 2022, he only played in nine games.
However, when healthy, Kupp has still proven to be a difference maker. Since being drafted by the Rams in 2017, he has amassed 634 catches for 7,776 yards and 57 touchdowns.
RELATED: Steelers Named Favorites to Trade for All-Pro Wide Receiver
Aaron Becker contributed reporting for this story.
