Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay believes star receiver Cooper Kupp will remain with the team.
McVay spoke out against media speculation about a potential trade involving Kupp after the Super Bowl 56 MVP returned from injury in Los Angeles’ 30-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night.
“I think a lot of the things that were out there, speculation was exactly what it was,” McVay said. “I’m really glad to have Cooper Kupp back with us, and that’s what I expect to stay that way.”
Kupp was surrounded by trade rumors this week as he got ready to come back from a four-game absence due to an ankle injury. The 2021 AP Offensive Player of the Year made five catches for 51 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings, helping the Rams (3-4) secure their second win in five days and putting them back in the mix for the NFC West.
With McVay’s Rams looking like they could be contenders again, trading their top receiver seems less likely. While McVay acknowledged that other teams are interested in Kupp, he expressed disappointment about the rumors surrounding him, especially since Kupp has been with the Rams for McVay’s entire time as head coach.
“Here’s what I’ll tell you: Teams reached out,” McVay said. “Some of the things I’ve seen out there, they’re just not true. We’ve addressed that with those individuals.
Teams have called about him, and really we let him know what the dialogue was there. And then there’s a lot of stuff out there where there’s not a lot of accountability to the reports, and that’s unfortunate.”
Kupp talked about his future during the short week of practice, saying he mostly ignored the rumors. After making several important plays in a well-rounded offensive performance against Minnesota, Kupp was not interested in considering a move to another team.
“There’s all that stuff out there, but there’s something that was cool about all that stuff going on outside the facility, but on a short week, every minute (I) spent preparing to come out here and play,” Kupp said. “It gave me the opportunity to focus in on being where my feet are, being able to prepare as best as I can, and then come out here and let it rip.”
Kupp caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford in the second quarter against Minnesota. He also made an important 27-yard catch for a first down late in the fourth quarter as the Rams secured their victory.
Kupp has spent all eight years of his career with the Rams, but he has played in only 24 of Los Angeles’ 41 games since his outstanding performances that led to a championship in the 2021-22 season. During the 2021 regular season, Kupp had 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Kupp has two years left on a three-year contract extension worth around $80 million.
