Rams destroy Pittsburgh Steelers' hopes for Cooper Kupp

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers are interested in signing Cooper Kupp from the Los Angeles Rams, but those hopes may be fading. Following the Rams' Week 8 win over the Minnesota Vikings, the team claims they intend to keep the All-Pro wideout, eliminating another trade option for Pittsburgh.

After the 30-20 victory over the Vikings in primetime, Rams head coach Sean McVay dropped an interesting highlight that made the rounds around the NFL world.

“I'm really happy to have Cooper Kupp back with us and I expect it to stay that way,” McVay said after the game.

The Steelers appeared to be the favorite for Kupp, and indeed any wide receiver, on the trade market. After missing Brandon Aiyuk over the summer and Davante Adams, Amari Cooper and DeAndre Hopkins over the course of the season, Pittsburgh is clearly the last team in dire need of a wide receiver.

Kupp finished his first game back from a high ankle sprain with five balls for 51 yards. The Rams' win puts them at 3-4 this season with a shot at the NFC South in hand. While the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks battle, Los Angeles is still very much alive in the division race.

If the Steelers' chances with Kupp are over, they could be out of luck. With less than two weeks to go before the trade deadline, they'll have to hope another interesting trade candidate emerges. To that point, New York Giants wideout Darius Slayton could be Pittsburgh's last option.

If not, they move up to No. 2 with Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin ahead of George Pickens. Scotty Miller and Roman Wilson are also on the active roster, but neither has contributed much this season.

Don't expect the Kupp market to shut down completely, but McVay has certainly put a dent in prospects. However, with one more game before the deadline, Kupp's idea of ​​going to Pittsburgh isn't dead yet.

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