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Steelers WR trade rumors reach a new high following reported shopping of former OPOY

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated Oct 22, 2024 8:44 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers might be humming on offense over the last two weeks, but there is still a glaring hole on the perimeter.

The lack of star power in the WR corps has shown itself a few times this year, and at 5-2 and with sights on the postseason, the odds of winning anything of substance in the playoffs goes down significantly if the roster stays the same.

Well, per Dianna Russini of The Atheltic, a new name is on the block via Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp:

Rams Shopping Kupp?

The Rams have called multiple teams about trading former Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp sources tell Mike Silver, Jourdan Rodrigue, and me. The Rams have indicated a willingness to take on some of the ‘24 salary and are seeking a 2nd round pick.

Dianna Russini via X-Twitter

Could the Chiefs trade for Cooper Kupp?

"If the Rams are willing to take on the salary I've heard they're willing to do, they are definitely open to trading Cooper Kupp so we'll see if they'll be able to get a deal done." @DMRussini on the upcoming trade deadline.

WATCH:… pic.twitter.com/s8aSSl1Hld
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) October 22, 2024

For Pittsburgh, Kupp fits like a glove. Yes, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields tend to stay away from the middle of the field, and Kupp has a profile best suited for in between the hashes.

But Arthur Smith has slowly started to open the playbook more and more, especially with Wilson under center. That has lead to more play action and middle-of-the-field concepts, something Kupp has thrived off of during his time in L.A.

So why are the Rams shopping one of their best players and a former triple crown-winning WR who led the league in receiving TDs, receptions and receiving yards in 2021?

Cap expert Wendell Ferreira explains:

[Les] Snead [Rams GM and [HC Sean] McVay want the draft capital, because it's unrealistic at this point to think that this version of the roster will compete for a Super Bowl.

The fastest way to rebuild the team and put it in a favorable position to compete is to stockpile draft picks and add young and cheap talent to the organization.

For the Rams, draft capital is more important than cap space at this moment. That's what they are signaling with this attempted move, and the approach makes sense considering where the team is right now.

Wendell Ferreira, A to Z Sports

The reported asking price of a second-round pick will surely be too rich for Steelers GM Omar Khan's blood, which is understandable in this situation given Kupp's recent injury history.

But if he can get Rams GM Les Snead to budge (someone he has hsiory with) Pittsburgh may finally solve a problem that dates back to March.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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