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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Receiver Cooper Kupp says the Los Angeles Rams are attempting to trade him after eight seasons with the club, and he doesn't like the decision.
The Super Bowl 56 MVP made the announcement on social media Monday, saying the Rams told him they “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.”
The 2021 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year essentially bade farewell to the city where he has spent his entire career.
“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's future with the Rams was an obvious question mark because he is signed for the next two seasons as part of the three-year, $80.1 million contract extension he got after having one of the greatest seasons by a receiver in NFL history in 2021-22. He would have taken up nearly $30 million in cap space next season, but the Rams could clear a large chunk of that by releasing or trading him with a post-June 1 designation.
“Preparations start now for 2025,” Kupp wrote. "Highly motivated, as healthy as ever, and looking forward to playing elite football for years to come. Love you guys... But coming for it all."
The Rams took calls on Kupp's availability in October after they started the season 1-4, but they elected to keep him. Los Angeles' front office is not sentimental about its stars: General manager Les Snead traded or released Jared Goff, Todd Gurley and Robert Woods in recent years before their own massive contract extensions had even kicked in.
The Rams declined to comment on Kupp's social media post.
Kupp usually has been a prolific receiver whenever healthy for the Rams, who drafted him in the third round out of Eastern Washington a few months after hiring Sean McVay as their head coach.
Kupp has been a centerpiece of McVay's offensive game plans throughout his career, catching 634 passes for 7,776 yards and 57 touchdowns.
“I have taken so much pride in playing alongside my teammates for the LA community, so thank you for embracing my family and making this such a special place for us,” Kupp wrote.
Kupp won the triple crown of receiving three seasons ago by leading the league in catches (145), yards receiving (1,947) and TD catches (16). In the playoffs, he capped another dominant stretch by winning the Super Bowl MVP award and scoring the eventual winning touchdown late in Los Angeles' victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
But Kupp's production tailed off in the past three seasons, and he had a rough finish this season after he missed four early games with an ankle injury. He struggled to get the ball down the stretch for the Rams, making just 12 catches for 162 yards in the final five games of the regular season during the least productive stretch of his career.
He then had six catches for 90 yards and no TDs in two playoff games for the Rams.
Puka Nacua has emerged as an elite NFL receiver in the past two seasons under Kupp's tutelage and leadership. The former fifth-round pick is averaging a whopping 88.4 yards per game, one of the highest averages in league history.
“So I thought it was just the NBA trade season,” Nacua wrote on social media.
Nacua will now be the unquestioned top target for McVay — and for whoever is the Rams' quarterback next season.
Matthew Stafford said last month that he would take time to decide whether to return for a 17th NFL season. The veteran has a strong friendship with both Kupp and Nacua.
Los Angeles' passing game is in for a significant upheaval even if Stafford returns as expected. Along with Kupp's departure, the Rams could lose veteran receivers Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell and Tyler Johnson to free agency — and pass game coordinator Nick Caley left the Rams on Monday to become the Houston Texans' offensive coordinator.
Kupp will be 32 years old next season. He had three consecutive seasons with more than 90 catches leading up to his landmark 2021-22 campaign, but he hasn't made more than 75 catches or 812 yards receiving in a season since then.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL
