BREAKING NEWS: NFL Trade Rumors Heat Up as Rams Face Criticism for Failing to Protect Matthew Stafford, Leading to Increased Interest in Cooper Kupp.giang

The Los Angeles Rams “aren’t protecting” star quarterback Matthew Stafford, while wide receiver Cooper Kupp remains the subject of outside interest ahead of the NFL’s Nov. 5 trade deadline, according to The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic also reported on her Scoop City podcast the Rams are “definitely taking calls” about Kupp and that Los Angeles is at least “open” to the idea of parting with the 2021 All-Pro.

Russini added that the Rams “have indicated a willingness to take on some” of Kupp’s 2024 salary and are seeking a second-round pick in return for the receiver.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Saturday that “plenty of teams doing research on receivers have [Kupp] on their list.”

On their starting quarterback, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Oct. 9 that “the Rams have looked at Stafford’s future as a year-to-year proposition,” adding how “neither player nor team seems to know how or when it will end.”

The Rams are last in the NFC West at 2-4 thanks in part to having multiple key players go down with injuries. As much as L.A. bucked expectations in 2023 to make the playoffs, this is an aging roster that’s still coping with the consequences from general manager Les Snead making win-now move after win-now move.

Becoming a seller and focusing on 2025 and beyond would make sense in that context. Getting out from Stafford’s and/or Kupp’s contracts would open up some salary cap flexibility as well. Stafford has a cap hit of $53.7 million for 2025 and 2026, while Kupp will count for $29.8 million and $27.3 million for each of the next two years.

Rodrigue speculated Snead ultimately may not be willing to wave the white flag. The Rams are within striking distance of the first-place Seattle Seahawks (4-3) within the division, and their on-field fortunes could improve as some of their injured players come back.

Los Angeles has two more games before the deadline. How those go could cement the front office’s approach right up to Nov. 5.