The Los Angeles Rams welcomed back their top two receivers on Game 8, and both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua played starring roles in the disappointing 30-20 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Nacua led Los Angeles with 106 receiving yards on seven receptions, and Kupp had 5 passes for 51 yards and a touchdown. there were some hypothesis Position Kupp as the Nov. 5 business closing date approaches, but Thursday night was a turning point.
NFL Media previously reported that teams had called the Rams regarding Kupp’s availability. The Athletic reported that the Rams had reached out to potential trade partners, or even indicated a willingness to take on some of Kupp’s salary in 2024. After the Game 8 win, Rams maestro Sean McVay was asked about those experiences.
“This is what I’ll tell you,” McVay said. “The teams reached out, some of the things I’ve seen out there just aren’t true. We’ve addressed that with those people. The teams called about it and we really 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 in reporting, and that’s unfortunate.”
McVay was later asked if Kupp’s performance against the Vikings could affect the Rams’ thoughts on his potential purchase and sale.
“I don’t think about those things, I think about coaching our team,” McVay said. “I think a lot of the things that were out there, speculation, were… exactly what they were: speculation. We’re an organization from the inside out, I’m very happy to have Cooper Kupp back with us, and that’s Lo I hope it stays that way.”
McVay may not ultimately make a decision on whether Kupp stays or goes, but that he said he hopes Kupp remains within the group is notable. After all, the Rams are still in the mix at 3-4. Three of the four teams in the NFC West currently sit at 3-4. Are the Rams really missing out on sharing strategies with their former Super Bowl MVP before the midseason mark? Kupp is 31 years old and has missed his life in each of the last three seasons due to concussion, but he is a very notable piece of the Rams’ offense.
