Receiver Cooper Kupp says the Los Angeles Rams are trying to commerce him after eight seasons with the membership, and he does not just like the transfer.
The Tremendous Bowl 56 MVP made the announcement on social media on Monday, saying the Rams advised 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 Participant of the 12 months basically bade farewell to town the place he has spent his complete profession.
“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 apparent query mark as a result of he’s signed for the following two seasons as a part of the three-year, $80.1m (£64.5m) contract extension he obtained after having one of many biggest seasons by a receiver in NFL historical past in 2021-22.
He would have taken up practically $30m (simply over £24m) in cap house subsequent season, however the Rams might clear a big chunk of that by releasing or buying and selling 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 began the season 1-4, however they elected to maintain him. Los Angeles’ entrance workplace just isn’t sentimental about its stars: Basic supervisor Les Snead traded or launched Jared Goff, Todd Gurley and Robert Woods lately earlier than their very own huge contract extensions had even kicked in.
The Rams declined to touch upon Kupp’s social media submit.
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LA Rams large receiver Kupp accomplished his longest profession landing operating in a 75-yard effort in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys
Kupp often has been a prolific receiver each time wholesome for the Rams, who drafted him within the third spherical out of Jap Washington a number of months after hiring Sean McVay as their head coach.
Kupp has been a centrepiece of McVay’s offensive recreation plans all through his profession, 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 received the triple crown of receiving three seasons in the past by main the league in catches (145), yards receiving (1,947) and TD catches (16). Within the playoffs, he capped one other dominant stretch by profitable the Tremendous Bowl MVP award and scoring the eventual profitable landing late in Los Angeles’ victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
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Matthew Stafford floats a precision-perfect six-yard strike to Kupp within the again nook of the tip zone because the LA Rams restore their lead in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens
However Kupp’s manufacturing tailed off previously three seasons, and he had a tough end this season after he missed 4 early video games with an ankle damage. He struggled to get the ball down the stretch for the Rams, making simply 12 catches for 162 yards within the remaining 5 video games of the common season through the least productive stretch of his profession.
He then had six catches for 90 yards and no TDs in two playoff video games for the Rams.
Puka Nacua has emerged as an elite NFL receiver previously two seasons beneath Kupp’s tutelage and management. The previous fifth-round choose is averaging a whopping 88.4 yards per recreation, one of many highest averages in league historical past.
“So I thought it was just the NBA trade season,” Nacua wrote on social media.
Nacua will now be the unquestioned high goal for McVay – and for whoever is the Rams’ quarterback subsequent season.
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Kupp felt he did not deserve the Tremendous Bowl MVP and was grateful to the remainder of his crew for reaching the award
Matthew Stafford mentioned final month that he would take time to determine whether or not to return for a seventeenth NFL season. The veteran has a powerful friendship with each Kupp and Nacua.
Los Angeles’ passing recreation is in for a big upheaval even when Stafford returns as anticipated. Together with Kupp’s departure, the Rams might lose veteran receivers Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell and Tyler Johnson to free company – and move recreation coordinator Nick Caley left the Rams on Monday to develop into the Houston Texans’ offensive coordinator.
Kupp might be 32 subsequent season. He had three consecutive seasons with greater than 90 catches main as much as his landmark 2021-22 marketing campaign, however he hasn’t made greater than 75 catches or 812 yards receiving in a season since then.
The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs face the Philadelphia Eagles in Tremendous Bowl 59 on the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday February 9, dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL and Principal Occasion from 10pm forward of kickoff at 11.30pm; Tom Brady options on commentary whereas Kendrick Lamar headlines the half-time present
