Insider reveals what Rams are willing to do to trade Cooper Kupp

Kupp is set to earn $20M in 2025, made up of $12.5M in base salary and a $7.5M 90-man roster bonus due on March 17, per ProFootballTalk and OverTheCap. $5M of that roster bonus became fully guaranteed in 2024.

A pre-June 1 trade would already require the Rams to absorb the remaining prorations of Kupp’s signing bonus as a $17.26M dead-cap hit in 2025. That would allow them to pursue other needs in free agency with additional capital in this year’s draft.

Waiting until after June 1 would allow the Rams to push $7.48M of dead money to 2026, but they would then also be responsible for Kupp’s 2025 roster bonus, essentially making the deferment a wash. The delay would also cost them 2025 draft capital in addition to the opportunity to sign top free agents in March.

Accordingly, the Rams would rather get a trade done before the new league year starts, explaining their willingness to eat even more of Kupp’s contract. That will help firm up a market for Kupp, who is expected to have suitors due to his pedigree as a tough, savvy and versatile playmaker. If the Rams can alleviate the financial burden of acquiring the 31-year-old, his age and recent injuries would be his only remaining concerns.

Kupp’s skill set would make him a fit in almost any NFL offense, but certain teams will make more sense than others. Among them, according to Fowler, are the Steelers, Commanders and Patriots. Pittsburgh was interested at the 2024 trade deadline, while Washington and New England both have plenty of cap space and young passers who would benefit from an experienced, quarterback-friendly receiver like Kupp. The Lions also have enough cap room to absorb his contract as well as Kupp’s former teammate, Jared Goff, under center.