Sean McVay shuts down Cooper Kupp trade speculation after star WR returns

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay anticipates star receiver Cooper Kupp to stay right where he is.

McVay slammed media speculation about the possibility of the Rams trading Kupp after the Super Bowl LVI MVP returned from injury in Los Angeles’ 30-20 success over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night.

“I think a lot of the things that were out there, speculation was precisely what it was,” McVay stated. “I’m actually pleased to have Cooper Kupp back with us, and that’s what I anticipate to stay that method.”

Kupp hadactually been blanketed by trade reports this week as he neared his return from a four-game lack with an ankle injury. The 2021 AP Offensive Player of the Year had 5 captures for 51 lawns and a goal versus the Vikings in the 2nd success in 5 days for the Rams (3-4), catapulting them back into contention in the NFC West.

With McVay’s Rams looking like a possible competitor onceagain, the possibility of trading their leading receiver appears less mostlikely. While McVay acknowledged that other groups desire the veteran wideout, the coach stated he was dissatisfied by the material of the speculation around Kupp, who hasactually been with the Rams for McVay’s whole profession.

“Here’s what I’ll inform you: Teams reached out,” McVay stated. “Some of the things I’ve seen out there, they’re simply not real. We’ve resolved that with those people. Teams haveactually called about him, and truly we let him understand what the discussion was there. And then there’s a lot of things out there where there’s not a lot of responsibility to the reports, and that’s regrettable.”

[Read more: Cooper Kupp, DK Metcalf headline WRs who could move before trade deadline]

Kupp resolved his future throughout the brief week of preparation, stating he mainly overlooked the speculation. After making a handful of huge plays in a stabilized offending effort versus Minnesota, Kupp still wasn’t interested in thinking about altering groups.

“There’s all that things out there, however there’s something that was cool about all that things going on outside the center, however on a brief week, every minute [I] invested preparing to come out here and play,” Kupp stated. “It offered me the chance to focus in on being where my feet are, being able to prepare as finest as I can, and then come out here and let it rip.”

Kupp captured a 7-lawn goal pass from Matthew Stafford in the 2nd quarter versus Minnesota. He then made a secret 27-yard catch for a initially down late in the 4th quarter while the Rams endedup off their success.

Kupp has invested his whole eight-year profession with the Rams, however he has played in just 24 of Los Angeles’ 41 videogames giventhat his career-defining string of efficiencies on the method to a champion in the 2021-22 season. Kupp had 145 receptions for 1,947 lawns and 16 goals throughout the 2021 routine season.

Kupp has 2 years left on a three-year agreement extension worth about $80 million.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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