ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 19: Derrick Henry #22 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on prior to an NFL Football game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 19, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Ravens Chargers Could Sabotage Steelers Trade Talks..
The Los Angeles Rams will try and trade Cooper Kupp over the next few months, and several teams should be interested in the veteran.
Cooper Kupp Trade
The Los Angeles Rams will trade Cooper Kupp at some point in the offseason, and the former All-Pro should have multiple suitors. A former third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Kupp quickly became one of the league’s most reliable possession receivers. Peaking in 2021, the Eastern Washington product led the league in receptions (145), yards (1,947), and touchdowns (16) during his first year with Matthew Stafford. At the time, it appeared the two would dominate the league for years to come.
Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Kupp struggled to stay on the field over the past three seasons, and his injury history combined with the emergence of Puka Nacua has made him expendable. Cooper Kupp himself said the team will trade him before the start of the 2025 season, and NFL insider Jay Glazer says the Pittsburgh Steelers have been interested in the wide receiver for months. While the Steelers could use a player like Kupp, don’t be surprised if the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers end up stealing him from Pittsburgh.
Steelers Interested In A Cooper Kupp Trade – Ravens, Chargers Could Intervene
The Pittsburgh Steelers have needed a wide receiver for quite some time now. After aggressively pursuing a Brandon Aiyuk trade in the previous offseason, the team had to settle for Mike Williams at the 2024 trade deadline. While the team made the playoffs with their underwhelming squad of wide receivers, it’s safe to assume the team will address the position in free agency, especially since George Pickens appears to be wearing out his welcome with the team. Cooper Kupp’s injury history makes him a risky selection, but Glazer’s report also indicated that it shouldn’t be too expensive to trade for the veteran.
Of course, it’s hard to know what the Steelers will do before they sort out the quarterback position. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are both free agents, and it’s safe to assume at least one player will leave for greener pastures. Pittsburgh is reportedly trying to trade for Trevor Lawrence, but it’s hard to envision Jacksonville giving up their franchise quarterback, even with a first-year head coach. Wilson can’t carry a flawed roster, so the Steelers might have to trade for Cooper Kupp to compete in a loaded AFC North.
Other Fits
The Baltimore Ravens tried to improve their wide receiver room when they traded for Diontae Johnson last year. That didn’t work, as the disgruntled wide receiver couldn’t handle a reduced role and ultimately forced his way off the team. Johnson will not return in 2025, but the Ravens still need another wide receiver. Zay Flowers is a Pro Bowler and Rashod Bateman is a fine complementary player, but this team could use another option, especially with the likely release of Mark Andrews. Cooper Kupp obviously won’t fill the Mark Andrews role in the offense, but the wide receiver could inherit some vacated targets.
The Los Angeles Chargers have one of the least experienced wide receiver rooms in the league. Second-round pick Ladd McConkey looks like the real deal, but this team needs an experienced veteran to support a deep playoff run. McConkey and Cooper Kupp can both move throughout the formation and provide quarterback Justin Herbert with a reliable set of hands. Kupp shouldn’t be the only offseason addition to the offense, but he’s a great first step to improving the pass-catching options for quarterback Justin Herbert.
Main Photo: Bill Streicher – Imagn Images
