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Rams’ Cooper Kupp not looking to be highest-paid NFL receiver with next contract: ‘I don’t think that’s the approach that I take’
Cooper Kupp put together a ridiculously productive season in 2021, finishing just four receptions off Michael Thomas’ NFL single-season record of 149. Kupp had 1,947 yards, 16 touchdowns, and a Super Bowl win with Los Angeles last year, capping off a magical season for the Rams.
Part of Kupp’s success was his incredible chemistry with quarterback Matthew Stafford, who signed a four-year extension with the Rams this offseason.
Kupp was the NFL’s most productive receiver last season, and since then there has been a boom in receiver contracts. Davante Adams was traded to the Raiders and signed an extension worth $28 million per year, whereas Tyreek Hill was traded to the Dolphins and will make $30 million per season. Kupp’s salary per year is nestled between former teammate Robert Woods and new teammate Allen Robinson at $15.75 million per season.
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Kupp averaged more yards per catch than both Hill and Adams last year, but while Deebo Samuel and A.J. Brown jockey for new contracts, Kupp — who will be a free agent in 2024 — is taking a different approach.
“I don’t think that’s really kind of the approach that I take,” he said of trying to be the highest-paid receiver, per ESPN. “I definitely think there’s a place you want to be. There’s a place that you feel like is fair. A place for me and for this organization. … I’m not trying to beat anybody. I’m not trying to compare myself to anyone else. It’s more about being in a place that’s just right for both sides.”
This raises the question, what’s “fair” for a player like Kupp?
Kupp’s best analogue is actually a player like Adams. The two both spend a significant amount of time in the slot and run concept plays to them. Kupp, however, ostensibly isn’t asking for Adams money if he isn’t looking to beat anyone — at least not in the sheer numbers.
Of Adams’ $140 million contract, $65.67 million was guaranteed. The Rams have already set a precedent that they’ll pay less money to give up more guaranteed with Stafford, which would make sense for a player like Kupp. We may well see Kupp get something in the realm of five years for $120 million, with $80 million guaranteed. While that seems like an ambitious projection, analysts have graded Kupp’s next extension up to five years for $137.5 million, which would put him in Adams’ neighborhood.
Independent of any of this, don’t expect a holdout from Kupp any time soon. Not only does he not seem interested, he hardly has the leverage with two years left on his deal. For the Rams, however, it might be best to work with Kupp sooner rather than later. If his value continues to increase, they may find it harder to keep the team together past 2023.