Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Cooper Kupp said Tuesday that he is not trying to reset a wide receiver market that has already exploded this offseason.
Kupp, who has had a season in which he was named Super Bowl MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, will have salaries through 2023 of $14.5 million in 2022 and $14.25 million next season contracted. The Rams have expressed they would like to extend it.
But the receiver contract market has exploded this offseason, as the Las Vegas Raiders’ Davante Adams ($28.5 million per season) and the Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill ($30 million per season) are each separated by signed record-breaking contracts in a week. Buffalo Bills’ Stefon Diggs, Jacksonville Jaguars’ Christian Kirk, Los Angeles Chargers’ Mike Williams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Chris Godwin also signed lucrative contracts.
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Kupp, 28, said he’s looking forward to seeing the deals other wide receivers have signed this offseason as the market at the receiver position has been “stale.” But when asked if he wants to top those deals, Kupp said it doesn’t matter to him.
“I don’t think that’s really my approach,” he said. “I definitely think there’s a place you want to be. There is a place that you feel is fair. A place for me and for this organization. … I’m not trying to hit anyone. I try not to compare myself to everyone else. It’s more about being in a place that’s just right for both parties.
Rams coach Sean McVay said Tuesday that there has been “good dialogue” with Kupp and star defensive tackle Aaron Donald about new contracts, and said finalizing deals with both “is still at the forefront of our considerations.”
Sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter Monday that San Francisco 49ers star Deebo Samuel, Tennessee Titans star AJ Brown and Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin are all looking for new contracts and are unlikely to be involved in field work during the voluntary offseason programs of their respective teams will participate .
However, Kupp does participate in the Rams’ program and explained why it’s important to him.
“Well, I think it’s important to be here, to be with the guys and to be with this team,” he said. “The goal at the end of the day is to win a world title. Whatever gets us in a place where we can fight for another world title gets us in a better position where we can be a better football team, that’s the goal. I think the best thing I can do is be a part of it…”
Kupp led the NFL in receptions (145), yards (1,947) and touchdowns (16) en route to being the league’s top offensive player, and then had two touchdown receptions in the Rams’ 23:30 win over the Cincinnati Bengals — inclusive of the game-winning Matthew Stafford reception with 1 minute, 25 seconds to earn Super Bowl LVI MVP honors.