Why Cooper Kupp should remain in L.A. amid uncertain Rams future

Wide receiver Cooper Kupp might have played his last game with the Rams, but that shouldn't mean he's played his final home game at SoFi Stadium.

On Monday, Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp addressed his uncertain future with the organization following a 28-22 loss to the Eagles in the NFC divisional round.

Per ESPN staff writer Sarah Bishop, Kupp said any decision about his future is "out of my control."

Kupp finished the regular season with 67 receptions, 710 yards and six touchdowns. In Sunday's divisional-round loss, Kupp had five receptions for 61 yards.

"So yeah, obviously would love to be in L.A., but I don't know what that's going to look like," Kupp added.

Well, we have an idea. If Kupp becomes a cap casualty, he'd look pretty good exchanging the Rams' royal blue for the classic powder blue of the Chargers.

Per Bishop, the Rams would "save $15M in cash and $7.52M against the salary cap" by releasing Kupp using a post-June 1 designation.

Kupp's $29.78M cap number is the second-highest on the team for 2025, trailing quarterback Matthew Stafford ($49.667M).

According to Over The Cap, the Rams have an estimated $46.6M in cap space this offseason, so they aren't in a position where releasing Kupp is necessary.

But for a player who has played fewer than 70% of the Rams offensive snaps in each of his past three seasons, including 58.4% this season, he could be expendable, particularly with second-year wideout Puka Nacua emerging as one of the league's most reliable targets.

Kupp wouldn't need to travel far to find a suitable home. The Chargers would be a fantastic spot for him to rebound. Quarterback Justin Herbert had one of the league's worst skill-position groups, and Kupp would be an immediate upgrade over Quentin Johnston and Josh Palmer, who ranked second and third on the Chargers in receiving targets this season.

Per Pro Football Focus, Kupp had a 505 contested catch rate —  10 catches in 20 opportunities — this season (including playoffs), while Johnston and Palmer combined for a 35.3% contested catch rate (12-of-34).

Kupp would give Herbert a better option on 50-50 balls and keep defenses from keying in on stopping talented rookie wideout Ladd McConkey, who led the team with 1,149 receiving yards.

If Kupp finds himself on the open market this offseason, he would likely have plenty of suitors. The Chargers should be at the top of the list, keeping him in Los Angeles.