That was fun while it lasted.
Los Angeles Rams All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp unexpectedly occupied trade rumors this week. Kupp had been sidelined since Week 2 with an ankle injury. His absence — and the beat-up Rams’ 2-4 record — created a blank canvas for hypotheticals galore. Then, the Rams welcomed back Kupp and Puka Nacua on Thursday night against the Minnesota Vikings, which sparked a 30-20 win and placed Los Angeles within striking distance of the NFC West lead at 3-4.
Logically, it would make no sense for a contending Rams squad to trade away a cornerstone star, so Rams head coach Sean McVay probably didn’t need to shut down Kupp trade rumors. But he did anyway, just for good measure.
“Teams reached out,” McVay told reporters after the game at SoFi Stadium. “Some of the things that I’ve seen out there, they’re just not true. We’ve addressed that with those individuals. Teams have called about him, and really, we let him know what the dialogue was there. And then, there’s a lot of stuff out there where there’s not a lot of accountability to the reports. And that’s unfortunate.”
McVay, who became the Rams’ all-time winningest head coach by beating the Vikings, added, “I think a lot of the things that were out there — speculation — was exactly what that was: Speculation. We’re an inside-out organization. I’m really glad to have Cooper Kupp back with us, and that’s what I expect to stay that way.”
Earlier this week, Kupp also addressed the rumors with reporters: “I’m aware of it, but at the end of the day, I’m going to be where my feet are.”
Kupp finished Thursday with five catches for 51 yards and one touchdown on eight targets.
The 31-year-old Super Bowl LVI MVP has spent his entire career with the Rams since Los Angeles drafted him in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft.
The Rams will look to extend their winning streak to three when they visit Seattle on Sunday, November 3.