The Los Angeles Rams have an opportunity to free up significant financial resources by cutting veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp this offseason. Trade rumors surrounded Kupp throughout the 2024 season, leaving his future with the team uncertain.
New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne has already begun recruiting Kupp to Foxboro. Kupp recently confirmed that he plans to continue playing in the 2025 season and believes he still has plenty to offer. However, he acknowledged that his future with the Rams remains uncertain.
“Who knows what the future holds?” Kupp said. “It’s out of my control. We’ll see how things unfold. … I’d love to stay in L.A., but I have no clarity on what’s next.”
At 31 years old, Kupp is set to count $29.7 million against the salary cap in 2025 and $27.3 million in 2026 under his current contract. Releasing him would allow the Rams to save $15 million in cash and $7.5 million in cap space. If designated as a post-June 1 cut, the team would absorb $22.2 million in dead cap.
Kupp was once considered one of the NFL’s top receivers and quarterback Matthew Stafford’s primary target. However, his production has declined, finishing the 2024 season with 67 receptions for 710 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games. Injuries have been a persistent issue, as he has missed 18 games over the last three seasons. Meanwhile, Puka Nacua has established himself as the Rams’ top option, with 79 receptions for 990 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games. With Kupp’s high cap hit and Nacua’s emergence, the Rams may decide to move on from him.
The Patriots, on the other hand, are in dire need of offensive weapons to support their young quarterback, Drake Maye. If the Rams part ways with Kupp, New England could be a logical destination.
ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler has also suggested another intriguing possibility for the Patriots—acquiring Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Fowler reported that Hill expressed frustration with his situation in Miami following Week 18, and New England could look to take advantage of the situation under new head coach Mike Vrabel.
While trades within the same division were once rare, Fowler noted that they have become more common in recent years. Ultimately, it will come down to which team offers the best value. According to an NFC executive, the Dolphins might consider trading Hill in exchange for the Patriots’ draft capital.
“The Patriots are desperate,” the executive noted. “They need a true number one receiver who can be a reliable target for Drake Maye.” The executive also pointed out that New England’s draft picks could be more valuable to Miami compared to those from a contending team.
If the Patriots are unable to land a top free-agent wide receiver like Tee Higgins, Hill could become a prime target. However, New England has struggled to attract elite receivers in free agency in recent years.
Hill is coming off a down year compared to his usual standards, posting 81 catches for 959 yards and six touchdowns. Despite failing to surpass 1,000 receiving yards for the first time since 2019, Hill could still significantly elevate New England’s struggling offense, which failed to produce a single 700-yard receiver in 2024.
If acquiring Hill requires only a Day 2 draft pick and additional compensation, the Patriots have the financial flexibility to make it happen, with over $100 million in available cap space.
While the move appears to be a good fit on paper, the big question is whether the Patriots’ front office will be aggressive enough to execute such a major trade. Time will tell.
