Cooper Kupp is available for trade. The Washington Commanders remain among the frontrunners according to sportsbooks.
Whether this is something the Commanders consider is debatable. Kupp's not getting any younger, but his work ethic, supreme football mind, and ability to get open make him a decent complimentary option to go alongside Terry McLaurin. Washington also has the salary-cap space to absorb his contract if they went in this direction.
Much will depend on the compensation involved. The Rams won't get much in return for the Triple Crown winner after making him surplus to requirements. They'll also have to take on some of his salary to get any trade over the line. That could work in Washington's favor as they aim to provide quarterback Jayden Daniels with the weapons needed to excel further in 2025.
There are concerns. Kupp will be 32 years old next season, so this is nothing more than a short-term solution. The former third-round pick has also dealt with injury issues in each of the last three campaigns. That will come under closer scrutiny by any interested parties.
His production remains high, but the red flags are obvious. What general manager Adam Peters must figure out is whether Kupp has enough left in the tank to make a leading contribution and help Washington get over the hump.
The jury is still out on that.
Commanders remain among the favorites to land Cooper Kupp via trade
Nothing should be off the table for Peters, who's armed with seven draft picks and almost $80 million in salary-cap space to make the improvements needed. Kupp is an exceptional route technician over the short-to-intermediate levels of the field. He might have lost some explosiveness, but his savvy manipulation of opposing defensive backs looks tailor-made for Kliff Kingsbury's schematic concepts.
The Commanders are among the leading contenders to land Kupp according to odds obtained by Pro Football Talk from DraftKings. Washington is currently +650 to secure the wideout's services (bet $100 to win $650). This is the same as the New England Patriots, with only the Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions above them.
This doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things. The odds likely reflect Washington's obvious need to find Daniels more prolific weapons in the passing game. Giving up assets for Kupp might not enter Peters' thought process. If the Rams ended up outright releasing the Eastern Washington product, it's a different story.
Of course, that increases the chances of more interest arriving in Kupp. Teams reluctant to sacrifice a draft pick would alter their thought process if the dependable weapon hit the open market. That decreases the Commanders' hopes if they throw their hat in the ring, but they are a more attractive destination than most these days.
Peters will have a strategy in place. He'll be aggressive while also keeping an eye on the future. The front-office leader also earned the complete trust of fans following a memorable first year at the helm.
Whether it's Kupp or someone else, the Commanders have to provide Daniels with upgraded firepower. McLaurin is one of the best around, but he cannot do it alone.
The Commanders will address this methodically yet with a sense of urgency. It'll be interesting to see who's retained or comes into the fold.