By Sunday 
The Complexities of a Potential Trade for Cooper Kupp and How the Rams’ Flexibility Could Make All the Difference
The announcement from Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp that the team will look to trade him this offseason has sent ripples through the NFL community. Kupp’s departure has long been anticipated, but the timing and terms of the trade present some serious challenges for any suitors. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, the possibility of adding Kupp to their roster hinges not just on their interest, but also on whether the Rams are willing to make some financial concessions.
Kupp’s Contract: A Barrier for Pittsburgh?
At 32 years old, Cooper Kupp is still a highly productive player, but his contract could make a potential trade complicated. Due to earn a base salary of $12.5 million in 2025, plus a significant $7.5 million roster bonus due on March 15, Kupp’s deal is a tough pill to swallow for many teams, including the Steelers. With $20 million in cash and salary cap charges tied to his current deal, it’s hard to see how Pittsburgh could afford Kupp without help from Los Angeles.
Kupp’s contract runs through 2026, with $19.85 million scheduled for that year, including another roster bonus in March. For Pittsburgh, this hefty commitment raises questions about how much they would be willing to give up in terms of future draft picks, especially when taking into account Kupp’s recent injury history. Over the past three seasons, he’s missed 18 regular season games—an average of six games per year.
Could the Rams Eat Some of Kupp’s Contract?
The major sticking point for any team attempting to trade for Kupp is his contract. In order for a trade to be viable, the Rams will likely have to help facilitate the deal by eating a portion of Kupp’s 2025 salary. In fact, it’s expected that interested teams will attempt to negotiate the Rams down, asking them to cover at least $5 million of the guaranteed roster bonus due in March. If the Rams are unable or unwilling to take on part of this financial burden, it’s hard to imagine a trade happening at all.
Should the Rams not be able to trade Kupp by March 15, the alternative is paying him the full $7.5 million roster bonus, which would add even more financial pressure. If they cut Kupp outright, he would become a free agent, allowing teams like the Steelers to bid for his services at a potentially lower cost, though this option would still be financially complicated for Los Angeles.
The Steelers’ Dilemma: Wait or Trade?
While the Steelers may have interest in Kupp, they’re unlikely to make a move before March 15 unless the Rams agree to cover the full $7.5 million roster bonus. Pittsburgh could opt to wait until after that date, when the Rams would only be on the hook for Kupp’s $12.5 million base salary for the upcoming season. Even then, it’s hard to imagine the Steelers offering anything higher than a fourth-round pick, given Kupp’s contract and injury history.
However, if the Rams ultimately have to cut Kupp, he could become a much more attractive free-agent option for the Steelers, who would likely be able to sign him for a much lower price. This situation would put Pittsburgh in a better position to secure a deal without the burdensome contract details attached.
The Bottom Line: Financial Constraints Could Make This Trade Unlikely
For the Steelers to trade for Kupp, it would take a significant amount of financial flexibility on the part of the Rams, and possibly a concession on the guaranteed roster bonus. Given the structure of Kupp’s current contract and his recent injury history, it’s hard to see a trade happening unless the Rams are willing to eat a substantial portion of his salary. If the Rams fail to make a deal by March 15, they may be forced to either pay him or cut him, further complicating any potential trade scenarios.
Regardless of what happens, it seems unlikely that the Steelers would give up much in return for a player who could potentially only be a one-year rental. With Kupp’s cap hits and injury questions, Pittsburgh’s best chance at landing the star wide receiver could very well be waiting for him to hit free agency.