Cooper Kupp’s Diminished Role Raises Questions for Rams’ Playoff Push

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Cooper Kupp, the Los Angeles Rams‘ star receiver and Super Bowl LVI MVP, has seen a dramatic decline in production this season, raising questions about his future with the team. After a stellar 2021 campaign with 1,947 receiving yards, Kupp has struggled to regain his dominant form, finishing the 2024 regular season with just 710 yards.

Kupp’s recent performances have been particularly concerning. Over the last four games, he has recorded only 82 receiving yards, with one catch for 29 yards in each of the final two contests. His last 100-yard game came in mid-November, a stark contrast to his previous role as the focal point of the Rams’ offense.

On Thursday, Kupp addressed his reduced role, emphasizing his focus on maintaining a positive mindset. “You pray a lot,” Kupp said. “You do a lot of prayer and meditation. Statistically, there’s something wrong, but I can look back on these times and see that I was playing good football. I just want to be doing things the right way, separating, competing for my teammates, and doing my assignments.”

Kupp, who turns 32 in June, is set to earn $20 million in 2025, a figure that has led to speculation about his future with the Rams. The team reportedly explored trading him earlier in the season as they sought to rebound from a 1-4 start. With the emergence of rookie Puka Nacua as a key offensive weapon, Kupp’s role could continue to diminish unless his contract is restructured.

Rams head coach Sean McVay acknowledged Kupp’s struggles but emphasized his importance to the team. “We really try to get him involved. He’s always a focal point,” McVay said. “Sometimes the coverages don’t end up allowing that to occur. He’ll always be a guy that we want to try to be able to get involved.”

As the Rams prepare for their playoff run, Kupp’s ability to step up alongside Nacua could be crucial. While his recent performances have been underwhelming, Kupp remains optimistic. “I do believe that if you do things the right way for long enough, eventually things will come back full circle,” he said. “I’m going to take that mentality, keep praying, and these things will work out.”