The Athletic’s Mike Silver reported the Rams urged Kupp to retire after the 2024 season, and Kupp later believed some team officials cautioned potential suitors not to offer more than the veteran minimum due to age and injuries.
Rams urged retirement, and Kupp felt his market was managed
Silver’s reporting says the split was less a “business decision” and more scorched-earth vibes, with Kupp saying, “When it ended with the Rams, we weren’t in a good place.”
This all comes after Kupp publicly stated he didn’t agree with the decision to move on, and the Rams ultimately released him in March 2025.
Wild: The Rams urged Cooper Kupp to retire from football and even warned teams about paying him anything more than the veteran minimum in free agency, per @MikeSilver
— JPA (@jasrifootball) January 27, 2026
The Seahawks ignored it, and gave him a 3-year $45M deal. Kupp scored a touchdown against his old team in the… pic.twitter.com/ezYr9Za8Ly
This past season, the 32-year-old recorded 47 receptions for 593 yards and two touchdowns across 16 games played.
Kupp’s resume made the ask feel wild to his camp
That’s what makes the whole situation so odd.
Kupp was a third-round pick in 2017 who became a franchise-defining receiver, famously winning the 2021 receiving triple crown (145 catches, 1,947 yards, 16 TDs) and then taking home Super Bowl LVI MVP and AP Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Injuries have been real, but the market still paid, with Kupp signing a three-year, $45 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
Cooper Kupp is going back to the Super Bowl after a battle against the Rams. pic.twitter.com/m1lIQXYxpd
— NFL (@NFL) January 26, 2026
Now the guy the Rams reportedly nudged toward retirement is the same guy who helped end their season, with Silver’s column dropping right after the Seahawks knocked out the Rams in the NFC Championship.
Photo Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
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