As the trade deadline approaches — and the Rams struggle through a 2-4 season — receiver Cooper Kupp’s name is firmly entrenched in trade talks. On Tuesday, reporters asked Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford how he deals with such noise.

“I’m a fan of the league, so you hear these things,” Stafford said. “To be honest, we are professional athletes. We are professional soccer players. We have dealt with this sort of thing before and understand that it comes with the territory. (We) don’t invest much in it because that’s a disservice to what we have going on here. We have a short week and a really good opponent to prepare for. That is our full focus. I know he will stay there too. (I’m) not too worried about it.”

How difficult is the division?

“I feel like it’s a lot easier for us than it is for family members and all those things,” Stafford said. “They spend all day on the phone looking at stuff. We spend all day watching film and preparing for an opponent. That part of it makes it easier for us.”

Stafford was not asked about the possibility of him being traded. The question he asked focused on whether he was involved in previous trade deadline rumors.

“I may not know,” Stafford said. “You’d have to check me out on that, I’m not sure I want to be honest with you. When I was in there, I forgot about it.”

He could be there this year. If the Rams are thinking about trading Kupp, why wouldn’t they also think about trading Stafford?

With two weekends of games remaining before the deadline, an injury to a contending team’s starting quarterback is enough to open the door for Stafford to have a fresh start. Unless that The Vikings decide to hit the upgrade button and get Stafford back to the NFC North.