After the Rams’ divisional round defeat against the Eagles, more than questions about the defeat, HC Sean McVay was left addressing the futures of WR Cooper Kupp and QB Matthew Stafford. For Stafford, who finished his 16th NFL season and fourth with the Rams, he said he would “take some time to think about” and that it “sure feels like” he has good football left in him. And unlike the last season when he left them hanging with an unsigned reworked contract till the first day of training camp, this time around, McVay demanded clarity far sooner than later.

With Stafford yet to make a decision, the Rams HC has finally pulled the trigger on a move that had been looming for some time. The franchise has swiftly made a decision on Kupp. On Monday, after eight seasons with the club, the WR revealed that the team informed him they were working on a trade on an “immediate” basis.

The update comes nearly four months after the trade deadline back in October when the Rams spoke to a number of teams for a possible trade, a deal that never came to fruition. As an integral part of the Rams’ Super Bowl success three years ago, the news of Kupp’s imminent departure from Los Angeles has hit some fans hard. And the fact that “[Kupp] don’t agree with the decision and always believed it was going to begin and end in LA” doesn’t go so far as to console the heart. Kupp added,

“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.” As painful as this decision is for Rams fans, it seems to have hit QB Matthew Stafford’s wife the hardest.

Reacting to the development, Kelly shared the update on her IG story with a broken heart emoji. Kupp and his wife Anna Marie, posted a photo of them hugging each other with the overlaying text that reads, “Thank you, LA.” Re-sharing the same image, an emotional Kelly dropped a message in the caption, noting,  “People don’t understand what all you bring to the game. Beyond your insane talent. This one hurts.”

She even took a moment to re-share another post of Cooper Kupp’s wife wherein Anna and Cooper Kupp can be seen kissing each other, with their child Jameson in his arms as she posted a lengthy, emotional goodbye to the city. All these updated pictures are actually from their Super Bowl LVI win. Kelly, who was reminded of that day as well as the friendship with the couple, wrote a beautiful note for them:

“Someone who welcomed me with open arms into this city, who can always make me smile, and constantly helps me realize what really matters. Dunno what this place is gonna look like without you. I dunno if I wanna find out.”

Regardless of a cap hit of $29.78 million in 2025 which played a part in the team’s decision to let him go, many NFL sides will be happy to have a Super Bowl-winning wide receiver in their ranks, it remains to be seen where he lands. But were the Rams right in letting Kupp go?

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Is it time to go for Cooper Kupp?

In 2021, Cooper Kupp was unstoppable. He had a historic year. Leading the NFL in receptions (145), yards (1,947), and touchdowns (16), he earned the receiving triple crown. Then he carried that dominance into the playoffs, capping it all off with a Super Bowl MVP performance. No doubt, he was the heart of the Rams‘ championship run.

But since then, injuries have slowed him down. Over the past three seasons, Cooper Kupp has struggled to stay on the field. This year, an ankle injury in Week 2 limited him to just 12 games, with 67 catches, 710 yards, and six touchdowns. Obviously, it’s not that bad, but let’s face the reality, it’s nowhere near his peak. Still, Kupp isn’t ready to fade away.

That’s why when writing an emotional farewell letter to the NFL world, especially LA, the WR wrote, “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. 2024 began with one of the best training camps of my career. Preparations start now for 2025. 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,””

With his concluding statements, it’s clear that the 31-year-old isn’t retiring soon. And now that he’s locked in, ready to prove he’s still got it. But wait, there’s a problem! Cooper Kupp is set to make $20 million in 2025, with a cap hit of nearly $30 million.

Now, that’s a big price tag. And if the Rams want to move him, finding a trade partner won’t be easy. But for now, the Vikings are seen as the frontrunners to land him. It’s because the team’s coach Kevin O’Connell was the DC in LA during Kupp’s standout season.

Will it be a new lease on life for Kupp or are his best days truly behind him?