The connection is clear, and the Lions have quickly been named a team expected to show interest in Cooper Kupp.
Speculation surrounding a trade for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp started during the trade deadline and has continued into the offseason. On Monday night, Kupp took to Twitter to announce that the Rams have informed him of a trade and will collaborate with him to find the best destination.
Since claiming the receiving Triple Crown during the Rams’ Super Bowl season in 2021 (145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns), injuries have affected Kupp, with nine, 12, and 12 games played over the last three seasons.
His role in the Rams’ offense lessened late this season, but at 31 years old (32 in June), he still seems to have plenty left in the tank.
As teams are mentioned as potential landing spots for Kupp, the Detroit Lions have been thrown into the conversation. They’ve been linked as a possible trade destination before, albeit in less concrete discussions, but the connection now seems more plausible.
On “SportsCenter” Tuesday morning, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that league executives shared four teams expected to be interested in Kupp: the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Washington Commanders, and the Lions.
“One league executive brought up Detroit to me because of the connection with Jared Goff,” Fowler said. “They entered the league together and made Pro Bowls together. That’s the type of instant connection that could be exciting.”
The Lions’ ties to Kupp are clear. Jared Goff was the Rams’ quarterback for Kupp’s first four seasons, and general manager Brad Holmes was the Rams’ Director of College Scouting when Kupp was drafted in 2017.
Of course, any trade discussion about Kupp must also address his contract.
Kupp is scheduled to earn $20 million this year, divided between a $12.5 million base salary and a $7.5 million roster bonus. $5 million of that bonus became guaranteed last year, and the remaining balance is due on March 15.
He has a $14.85 million base salary and a $5 million roster bonus in 2026, the final year of his contract, though none of that money is guaranteed.
It seems likely the Rams will have to absorb a significant portion of that $20 million to facilitate a trade. They could cover the entire $7.5 million roster bonus, depending on the trade details.
That could create a timing issue for Kupp to land with a new team, conflicting with the idea that they will work with him immediately to find his preferred destination.
If a trade can’t be arranged, the Rams could cut Kupp. If they designate him as a post-June 1 cut, they would clear double the cap space compared to a pre-June 1 cut, but cutting him late could create challenges for him in finding a new team.
If the circumstances align, Kupp could end up with the Lions, and Fowler’s report indicating their interest isn’t surprising. It’s a bit of a coin flip for now, as many teams are in the mix for him.