Cooper Kupp responds to trade rumors

Cooper Kupp is expected to return for the Los Angeles Rams' upcoming game against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, but will he remain with the team for the remainder of the season?

Three veteran receivers have already reached the trade ban this fall. The Las Vegas Raiders traded Davante Adams to the New York Jets, the Cleveland Browns sent Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills and the Tennessee Titans traded DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs. Could Kupp be next?

According to The Athletic, the Rams are willing to trade Kupp to another team before the NFL trade deadline. The Rams have reportedly called teams about trading Kupp and are willing to cover a portion of his salary in the event of a trade.

Kupp addressed the trade rumors on Tuesday, claiming that his focus remains on playing for the Rams.

“I'm aware of it, but at the end of the day I'll be where I am,” Kupp told reporters, via Adam Grosbard of the OC Register. “That's all I know. I have a job to do here and I take great pride in doing everything I can for the guys in this building and being able to step onto the field knowing that I have prepared to the best of my ability. I've been an LA Ram for seven and a half years and take this approach every day. And whatever happens beyond that, I have to control what I can control, and right now that means being the best LA Ram I can be.”

Kupp has spent his entire career with the Rams after Los Angeles drafted him in 2017. He became the team's top receiver in 2019 and rushed for over 1,100 yards that season. Two years later, he had his best season with Matthew Stafford, catching 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns, leading the league in all three categories. Kupp would help the Rams win the Super Bowl and was named Super Bowl MVP.

Since that historic 2021 season, Kupp has missed time every year due to injury. Kupp has missed the Rams' last four games because of an ankle sprain he suffered in Week 2. The Rams are just 2-4 to start the season and are a team that could consider signing a veteran like Kupp if they want to focus more on their team's future.

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