The Los Angeles Rams are set to continue their youth movement this offseason, though the extent of their roster changes remains uncertain. One expected move is the trade of Cooper Kupp, with Tee Higgins emerging as a potential replacement alongside Puka Nacua.
Kupp revealed on social media that the Rams have informed him of their intention to trade him.
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals may struggle to retain Higgins due to other roster priorities, creating an opportunity for the Rams to pursue him in free agency.
“Tee Higgins is the best free-agent receiver to hit the market in at least a decade, and his potential contract could be massive,” Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team wrote on February 13. “With several teams in need of a No. 1 receiver, a bidding war could make Higgins one of the league’s highest-paid wideouts.
“As many as a dozen teams could show interest in Higgins this offseason, including unexpected contenders like the Rams, Bills, and Ravens, who are all in win-now mode and might be willing to make bold moves to acquire him.”
Rams ‘Over’ Cooper Kupp, Matthew Stafford
Kupp’s departure could pave the way for Matthew Stafford’s eventual exit as well. The Rams may be growing frustrated with the ongoing discussions surrounding their biggest offensive stars.
“The Rams like Matt Stafford, but they’re getting tired of the constant quarterback speculation and his wife making public comments. They’re also unhappy that Cooper Kupp went public with something they wanted to keep private,” Colin Cowherd said on The Herd on February 13. “They’re moving on from Kupp, and to some extent, Stafford as well. They like him, but they’re unwilling to restructure his contract for a bigger deal.”
Kupp confirmed the news on X (formerly Twitter) on February 3, stating, “I was informed that the team will be seeking a trade immediately and will work with me and my family to find the right place to continue competing for championships. I don’t agree with the decision and always believed my career would begin and end in LA.”
He added, “2024 started with one of the best training camps of my career. Preparations for 2025 begin now—highly motivated, as healthy as ever, and ready to play elite football for years to come. Love you guys… but I’m coming for it all.”
Rams Could Target Big-Bodied Prospect Over Tee Higgins
According to Colin Cowherd, the Rams are seeking the New York Giants’ No. 3 overall pick in a trade for Matthew Stafford. Adding another layer to the speculation, Stafford’s brother-in-law, Chad Hall, is on the Giants’ coaching staff. However, whether New York is willing to meet that asking price remains uncertain.
What the Rams would do with that high pick is another question. Cowherd suggested they might trade down to acquire more draft capital for a future quarterback move.
TETAIROA MCMILLAN NOW HAS FOUR TOUCHDOWNS AND 248 RECEIVING YARDS 🔥
IT'S ONLY THE THIRD QUARTER 😳 pic.twitter.com/WD7u2uTluc
— ESPN (@espn) September 1, 2024
“Why? So they have extra picks for next year when they have to move up to get a quarterback,” Cowherd said. “If the Rams do move down, and do get the Giants’ No. 1 pick, don’t be surprised if they … draft T-Mac [Tetairoa McMillan], the Arizona wide receiver, to replace Cooper Kupp. He is easily the best receiver in this draft.”
The 6-foot-5 McMillan led the Big 12 in receiving yards in 2024 and has drawn attention for his size and ball skills.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein described McMillan as a “possession receiver with the size and ball skills to create big wins deep” but noted that he can be inconsistent in his route-running and physicality. However, his elite ball skills provide a solid floor as a “Z” receiver with mismatch potential in the slot.
McMillan would be a more cost-effective option for the Rams compared to pursuing Tee Higgins in free agency.
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