There is talk of potential there Cooper Kupp The trade started to surface, the Rams have won two games and are now one game out of the NFC West lead. Therefore, they are less likely to be salespeople.

The team saw Kupp and Puka NacuaReturning to action makes a significant difference against the Vikings on Thursday night. The duo combined for 12 receptions, 157 yards and a touchdown in Week 8. Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes, providing a glimmer of hope during an injury-plagued season in Los Angeles.

Days after a report suggested the Rams would call teams on Kupp, Sean McVay didn’t sound too eager to break up this WR duo. The eighth-year Rams HC said after the game that he expects Kupp to stay with the team, although McVay confirmed (via Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic) that teams have called. The 31-year-old Kupp remains under contract through the 2026 season – to the three-year, $80.1 million deal he signed months after his MVP performance in Super Bowl LVI – and has an injury history that has helped teams at the acceptance of this treaty would give cause for thought.

Kupp also must receive a $5 million guarantee in 2025. While the Rams were willing to take on a portion of the former All-Pro’s remaining salary in 2024 — about $8 million — an acquiring team would be responsible for that $5 million payment next year. Kupp is tied to base salaries of $12.5 million and $14.85 million – the latter amount is not guaranteed – in 2025 and 2026. The two future salaries would be less daunting than Kupp’s money for 2024 and 2024 the fact that he has missed 17 games since Super Bowl LVI.

The Rams have also told teams that they would like to see a trade move beyond the Jets’ targets Davante Adams. New York agreed to take on all of Adams’ remaining salary in 2024 and sent Las Vegas a conditional third-round pick. The Chiefs discussed Kupp with the Rams before agreeing to the acquisition DeAndre Hopkins from the Titans. Given the Rams’ form with Kupp and Nacua back in the squad, it would be difficult to trade the older member of the tandem for a modest return. However, keeping Kupp comes with risks as he struggles to stay healthy.

Thursday’s win also came with the Rams missing two offensive line starters. They almost certainly won’t pull the trigger on a seller’s trade until after the Week 9 clash with the Seahawks, as is becoming apparent Steve Avila and free agency supplement Jonah Jackson return. Both can be activated via IR.