Cooper Kupp is headed back to his home state of Washington to play on a newly signed three-year contract worth $45 million.
After spending all eight seasons of his NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams, which included winning a triple crown in 2021 and being honored with Super Bowl MVP that same season, Rams head coach Sean McVay decided it was time to move on from the 31-year-old receiver.
The initial intent was to trade Kupp, but after the Rams failed to find any takers, he was released.
Kupp has expressed how he greatly values his time in Los Angeles and didn't want to end things on a sour note.
He still has no insight as to why the Rams wanted to part ways with him.
"I'm sure they have their reasons for why they want to do things. Whatever it is," Kupp said at his opening press conference in Seattle on Tuesday. "Not a ton of clarity in that regard, but at the end of the day, I'm thankful to be able to walk away from that organization and be able to look back at all those memories, all those experiences, all those things we were able to go through together ... and look at it in a positive light, and be very thankful for my time in Los Angeles."
Cooper Kupp said he wasn't motivated to stay in the NFC West so he could play the Rams twice a year. But he did open up about how hard his exit from Los Angeles has been on him after eight seasons with the team.
"It has been difficult. Without a doubt, it has been difficult." pic.twitter.com/HhKhGtaH0R
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) March 18, 2025
Kupp has regressed since his historic 2021 campaign where he totaled 1,947 yards and 16 touchdown grabs. Since then, he hasn't topped 812 yards and has dealt with several injuries that has prevented him from playing a full season again.
"It's been difficult. In all honesty, it's been very difficult and frustrating," Kupp said. "There's been lots of questions. ... It's a real tough situation. I've said I've always imagined that I'd finish my career there, but that's not what the plan was that God had for me and my family.
"Stepping into this new adventure, this new place, this new chapter in my career but also in our lives. ... Without a doubt, it has been difficult. We're human; we're real people."
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This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 10:15 PM.