Super Bowl LVI: The Rams are trailing late in the fourth quarter and their hopes of a first title in over decades hang in the balance. Then Cooper Kupp takes over. Kupp scored a 1-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford to put the Rams  23-20 ahead with just 1:25 left in the game. This proved to be the final score as the Rams celebrated a Super Bowl on their home turf. Fast forward to 2025 and the MVP of that game is on his way out of LA after the franchise released him unable to secure a trade deal. Despite a decline in his performances last season after an ankle injury, there is no shortage of teams in the running for Kupp. There have been at least five teams linked with the WR, but there remain a lot of ifs and buts.

Kupp departs the Rams reluctantly. Last month, he revealed that the franchise was looking to trade him but wrote, “I don’t agree with the decision and always believed (my career) was going to begin and end in LA,” in a social media post on February 3. However, the Rams were desperate to move him on after he missed 18 games over the last three years due to multiple injuries. Despite not finding a suitable trade option largely due to his contract, they decided to release him on Wednesday. Shortly afterward, many teams were reported to be interested in securing his services, but at least one team is reportedly out of the race.

The Jaguars were one of the franchises believed to be in line for Kupp. Jaguars’ GM James Gladstone was part of the Rams staff that drafted Kupp back in 2017 and HC Liam Coen also spent two separate seasons working with the Rams’ offense under Sean McVay. Moreover, the team still needs someone in the wide receiver position. As such, signing Kupp would’ve made sense, but as it turns out they are looking in a different direction.

Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports posted an update on X, writing, “Despite reports connecting Cooper Kupp and the #Jaguars, sources say Jacksonville is not in on Kupp.” Safe to say that Jacksonville can be crossed off the list of the next possible destinations for Kupp. During Thursday’s press conference, Gladstone was questioned about Kupp and he said,

“I got a ton of respect for Cooper. He was actually in the first draft that I ever had the chance to be a part of. And throughout the course of his career in Los Angeles, he is one of the purest to form wide receivers. Changed the dynamic for what’s actually asked of those guys in modern football and I think at this point in time, it’s fair to say, in pro free agency, we’re always open to every opportunity that presents itself, but time will truly tell.” Meanwhile, another team heavily reported to land Kupp in the Denver Broncos. However, the franchise while interested, seems to be treading cautiously. 

Kupp signed a $80.1 million extension with the Rams after the impressive 2021 season and is set to earn $20 million in salary and bonuses, with a cap hit of $29.78 million in 2025. However, not many teams will be willing to pay that much given his injury record and form recently.

Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal reported that Kupp’s demand is “insane” at this stage of his career and Zac Stevens of the DNVR Broncos responded to this report on X, noting that, “Broncos are not looking to pay an “insane” price for Cooper Kupp.” Notably, the All-Pro WR is interested in a move to Denver, but this will come as a setback to his hopes of ending up with the Broncos.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter said, “If Cooper Kupp had his way, I think he would like to be in Denver. I think that’d be one of the places that would appeal to him. I feel comfortable in saying that.”

The Broncos headed into free agency with about $40.5 million in free agency and splashed the cash in the first three days of the window. First, the Broncos secured safety Talanoa Hufanga with a three-year contract worth up to $45 million. Next, they bolstered their defense by signing linebacker Dre Greenlaw to a three-year, $34 million deal. Most recently, Denver added tight end Evan Engram on a two-year contract valued at $23 million. While the exact terms of these deals are not disclosed, it is safe to assume that they likely running low on salary cap space. As such, they might be more interested in doing bargain deals over big contracts.

They can create more space with releases and restructures of certain contracts, but it is hard to see them go above and beyond to land someone with Kupp’s salary demands. While Kupp’s arrival could boost franchise quarterback Bo Nix, they might not want to break the bank over it.

These updates will be a blow to Kupp, who is believed to not have a “long, drawn-out process” when it comes to a decision over his future.

The Athletic’s Jeff Howe noted teams believe someone will offer Kupp around $12 million per year, which will be “too much for some teams that aren’t in on him.” The general consensus seems that an ideal contract for Kupp would range anything between $8-$12 million, but right now Kupp is holding out for more. However, it is to be noted that if no team was willing to pay him $20 million for a trade, he might have to settle for even less in the free agency market.

Meanwhile, another team reported to be interested in Kupp is New England.

Could Cooper catch on in New England?

On Wednesday, after the Rams officially released the WR, Cooper shared a farewell message reflecting on his eight-year journey with the team.

“Eight years of incredible memories. We talked often about the Rams being back in LA and how we would grow to be something special here. And there was frustration early on around getting the buy-in from the people of LA,” he wrote on X. “Thank you for these shared moments. Thank you, LA, for welcoming my family with open arms and allowing us to grow here. Next chapter starts now. Best is yet to come.” It looks like the ‘next chapter‘ Cooper Kupp is looking for might be a bit hard to start.

The Patriots are another team looking for a wideout and Kupp’s availability makes him an enticing prospect but the two parties don’t seem to be on the same page.

Well, Cooper signing with the Pats would make sense since the 31-year-old has many connections in New England. The hiccup is that HC Mike Vrabel is expressing caution with how he approaches the free agency process. “We don’t want to be reckless through this process. We want to be very intentional with the people we bring on this football team. And we’ll continue to target all of those needs that we feel like, and the players that can help us.“

Moreover, after Mike Giardi reported on X, “Per league source, the Patriots have reached out to Cooper Kupp. It is believed the wideout would prefer to stay on the West Coast, but he hasn’t closed any doors,” he retweeted this with another update noting, “A league source tells me Kupp’s asking price is “insane” compared to where he is at this point in his career.”

The Pats might want to bring Cooper on board, as per a few sources. But the roadblock is the price Kupp is asking for. If the WR makes some changes to his demand, then there are chances that the ex-Rams WR will wear the Pats’ colors. Like the Broncos, Mike Vrabel’s team also has the cap space and the need for a WR. But they do not want to overpay or sign a long-term contract with Kupp.

Last season was a difficult one for Cooper as he averaged a career-low 10.6 yards per catch after suffering a high ankle sprain. Still, he managed 710 yards and six touchdowns on 67 receptions. This highlights that he could still be a valuable asset wherever he ends up, but the question remains, will any team reach an agreement that suits both parties? 

Will he find a new home quickly, or will concerns about his age and injuries slow down the process? Either way, his next chapter has indeed started.