Three years in the past, Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp made historical past whereas delivering the Rams’ first Tremendous Bowl win as a Los Angeles-based staff. Now, Kupp is embroiled in commerce rumors with the Nov. 5 deadline looming.
Whereas rumors like this may be unsettling, Kupp is preserving an even-keeled method to the scenario.
“I am conscious of it, however on the finish of the day, I imply, I’ll be the place my toes are,” Kupp stated this week, by way of ESPN. “That is all I do know. I’ve a job to do right here. And I take lots of pleasure in giving the whole lot I can for the blokes on this constructing and having the ability to step on the sector realizing that I ready the most effective that I can. And for seven and a half years I have been an L.A. Ram and I’ve taken that method each single day.
“And no matter occurs exterior of that, I’ve received to regulate what I can management. And proper now meaning being the most effective L.A. Ram that I may be.”
The Rams have reportedly referred to as groups to gauge curiosity in a doable commerce for Kupp. Stafford additionally weighed in on the scenario forward of the staff’s “Thursday Night time Soccer” conflict with the Minnesota Vikings.
“I am a fan of the league, so that you hear these issues,” Stafford stated, by way of Professional Soccer Speak. “To be trustworthy, we’re professional athletes. We’re skilled soccer gamers. We have handled this type of stuff earlier than and we perceive it comes with the territory. [We] do not put a lot into it as a result of that is a disservice to what we have occurring right here.
“We have a brief week and a very good opponent to attempt to put together for. That is our full focus. I do know that is the place [Kupp] stays, too. [I] don’t fret an excessive amount of about that stuff.”
As Stafford talked about, the Rams have an enormous sport Thursday towards the Vikings, who’re absolutely seeking to get again on monitor after struggling their first lack of the 12 months towards the Detroit Lions. The Rams, regardless of struggling an inordinate quantity of accidents through the season’s first month, would solely be a sport out of first place within the NFC West ought to they upset Minnesota.
Talking of Thursday evening, the Rams expect to have Kupp for the primary time since he injured his ankle in Week 2. Los Angeles has additionally opened the 21-day apply window for fellow wideout Puka Nacua, who hasn’t performed since injuring his knee in Week 1.
Ought to the Rams win, one would assume the prospect of them buying and selling away Kupp would go down. But when they lose, they might really feel compelled to make strikes earlier than the commerce deadline that may very well be higher for the long-term way forward for the franchise.