FEATURE Cooper Kupp Released

[swmizzou83]

We all love Kupp and it's going to be hard to see him go but the reality of the situation is he is getting paid like a top WR and last year he was injured and this year he clearly lost a step.

His 2 best attributes were he could get separation and break tackles. Neither of those things he was particularly good at this year.

Robinson is getting paid significantly less money and had very comparable stats. Plenty of much cheaper options can put up the numbers Kupp did this year.

I absolutely hate to see him go and he is one of my all time favorite players but from a team perspective it makes sense. They have limited money to build an entire roster and that current roster has some holes in it that need filled.

 

[ottoman89]

It was fully expected and it's 100% the right move.

BUT, it's still painful.

Take the sentimental value out of it and there's absolutely NO way (unless your the Browns or Titans) you pay Kupp what he's due. MAYBE half of it. It's quite evident he's on a fairly steep decline. Seemed to have gotten slower as the season went on and then disappeared.

I'm going to miss him though.

I'm sure Stafford knew this was coming but am interested how he reacts. Absolutely CANNOT lose Kupp AND Stafford.

 

[TexasRam]

I remember when Bruce and Faulk began to decline. It is so subtle. It’s as they say, “lost a half a step”. I was in denial particularly with Faulk. You always expected that big play and that magic when he got the ball. But that half step is massive.

This time around with Kupp I could see it. He lost that half step. But rather then be in denial I just accepted it and enjoyed the farewell tour season, and I enjoyed every last glimpse of the prime Kupp, as it continued to dim.

It’s the right thing for the Rams to do in order to compete and Kupp will never be forgotten.

 

[TheTackle]

$7.5 million this year and $27.3 next year in savings.

That is the key. I hope they still get to work it out but that hit in 2026 would severely put us back when the window is wide open

 

[TheTackle]

It was fully expected and it's 100% the right move.

BUT, it's still painful.

Take the sentimental value out of it and there's absolutely NO way (unless your the Browns or Titans) you pay Kupp what he's due. MAYBE half of it. It's quite evident he's on a fairly steep decline. Seemed to have gotten slower as the season went on and then disappeared.

I'm going to miss him though.

I'm sure Stafford knew this was coming but am interested how he reacts. Absolutely CANNOT lose Kupp AND Stafford.

Is it 100% the right move? Time will tell

 

[ljramsfan]

Hate to see him go but you don't pay someone 29 mil cap hit for not 17 games and not 1000 yards. You just can't do that. We have a superbowl defense. We need superbowl offensive talent

That is what I have been trying to tell people around me. I love Kupp but the fact of the matter is that he is being out produced by Puka and Robinson this past year. It was either take a cut or he was going to be traded.

The Rams may have his replacement in mind already which is why they want to move fast.

 

[RamBradford85]

Slot is officially our top need on offense now. They can get it done later, like round 3, but I suspect it'll be round 1 or after a trade down.

Naw don’t think so Whittington and puka can handle it they need a x reciver and TE

 

[TheTackle]

My heart sank reading this no matter the rationale

 

[RamBradford85]

Into JMS's Pocket!

Puka was only Puka, because of what Kupp did out on that field for him!

I disagree on that puka is puka because of puka

 

[dang]

Very simple answer. As a business owner you come into every negotiation with every option on the table. If you don't then you run the risk of making a mistake. So the rams definitely made an offer he just didn't accept it. The only possible scenario that the rams didn't make an offer is if they get a 3rd round pick and dumping his salary. And that's not happening.

Not being a dick. Just seriously inquiring. What source do you have that “the rams definitely made an offer he just didn’t accept it”?

 

[Faceplant]

I just hate that is appears to be ending acrimoniously. That is what bothers me, and we have now seen it with Gurley, Goff AND Kupp. Don't forget the last bit of Coop's goodbye message either...

"Love you guys..

But coming for it all."

Kinda sounds like someone with a score to settle.

 

[JonRam99]

Naw don’t think so Whittington and puka can handle it they need a x reciver and TE

I was gonna say the same thing. Our slot WR is now Whittington, who was heating up of late. With Higbee back, and prolly another TE drafted, our short-medium passes are well manned.
It's the X WR that we desperately need. Puka can get deep, he DOES have some wheels but not like Tee or Hollywood. However.... Puka can be WR1, the new X WR is WR2 & J.Whitt / Robinson is WR3 / 4. That's a nice WR room, if we can get that X.
oh!!! edit: thank you, Coop!! for a magical, 8 yr run--wow, 8 years! but few WR's have had as great a career as he has with us, we are fortunate. He redefined what was possible at the WR position.
My best case scenario for him is, yes, da Chargah's, and keeps his family in LA. Closest 2nd would be Raidah's, they could use some serious help & Kupp is essentially a coach on the field. He'd be a huge upgrade for either of them, even if he's basically WR3 / slot guy.

 

[ottoman89]

Is it 100% the right move? Time will tell

Unless Kupp took a paycut down to around $10mil, yes. Whittington in a small sample size looked twice as athletic and functional on the field.

There's a reason why his role diminished. Sentimentally it hurts, it really hurts.

But, this is what makes McVay so great.. he can eliminate the emotions and find the right time to make these moves (Gurley, Goff, Woods).

 

[Tumak61]

I think McVay started to lose some faith in Kupp as this season unfolded. I guess the proof in that is the screens, jets, and play action design were featuring other players. Kupp had a great run on the Rams. He should go out on top like Donald did. It will be sad to see him go to another team and kind of fade away if the trend continues with him.

 

[Rams8821]

Unless Kupp took a paycut down to around $10mil, yes. Whittington in a small sample size looked twice as athletic and functional on the field.

There's a reason why his role diminished. Sentimentally it hurts, it really hurts.

But, this is what makes McVay so great.. he can eliminate the emotions and find the right time to make these moves (Gurley, Goff, Woods).

Honestly, its the ultimate WE NOT ME move.....

 

[Psycho_X]

As others have mentioned I think Whittington's performance, attitude, and upside really sealed this happening with Kupp's salary being an obvious factor. I think they'll make a move for speed to replace Robinson in the starting lineup and roll with Puka, Whittingon, and new guy for starters. I could still see them bringing Robinson back for depth and redzone plays though.

Man this sucks though. I was really hoping they could work out a new deal to keep him a few more years as a rotation piece. Problem is McVay doesn't like to rotate a whole lot so it became a numbers game. Still depressed as hell about it though.

 

[thirteen28]

This is like putting your dog down when it's terminally ill. You know it has to be done, but good gawd does it fucking suck ass.

Fuck. FUCK!!! Fuckity fuck fuck fuckity goddam fuck shit fuck dammit!!

Was really hoping he would remain a Ram through the end of his career and begin his coaching career with the Rams the year after he retired.

Fuck.

Thanks for the memories, Coop - you were one of a kind and you were truly great. Best of luck in your future endeavors.

 

[Ramstien]

Kind of reminds when Bruce left and ended up with the 9ers. He was not what he once was with the Rams but he was still Bruce.

 

[ottoman89]

I can see the Rams trading Kupp and a future 4th or 3rd for a 2nd this year.

 

[Allen2McVay]

I can see the Rams trading Kupp and a future 4th or 3rd for a 2nd this year.