By james art PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking for a wide receiver trade, and Cooper Kupp appears to be at the top of their latest list. But after the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8, things could be changing.
After the win, Rams head coach Sean McVay made it clear he wanted Kupp to stay in Los Angeles and not be traded.
“I’m really glad Cooper Coop is back with us and I expect him to stay that way,” McVay said.
While McVay wants Kupp’s trade market to be over before it begins, that may not be the case. The Rams are still 3-4 and may still be looking to move on from the 31-year-old wide receiver before his market dries up. That being said, they’re not just going to pass him on to another team. After five catches for 51 yards in his first game back from a sprained ankle, The Athletic’s Diana Russini says the team is ready to talk, but the cost has certainly increased.
“After a healthy Cupp looked like a reasonable version of himself Thursday night, count on this: If the team talks to the Rams about trading for him, the price just drops way up,” Rusini wrote.
The Steelers are one of three known teams talking to the Rams about a trade for Kupp, joining the Kansas City Chiefs, ahead of the DeAndre Hopkins and Buffalo Bills deals. According to a source, the team is willing to pay a higher price for Cupp because of his resume, but it’s unclear where that line is drawn.
Expect the Steelers wide receiver market to heat up next week. Whether it’s Kupp or other candidates like Christian Kirk, Darius Slayton, or another name that comes up, they’ll continue to look for an option opposite George Pickens.
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