The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to be in the market for some quality wide receivers during the 2025 offseason. It became clear in 2024 that the roster needs to be upgraded in that area, and there are some good options available. The only issue is that Pittsburgh will have some trouble luring wide receivers to the Steel City without a starting quarterback under contract. The franchise is still weighing its options for the 2025 season, as it seems to have plenty of irons in the fire on the quarterback market. A natural fit for the Steelers would be wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who is expected to be traded or released by the Los Angeles Rams.
Los Angeles made its intentions of trading Kupp clear, and if the organization cannot find a trade parter, it is expected to release Kupp. The wide receiver will be 32 years old when the 2025 season kicks off, and he is owed roughly $57 million over the next two years of his contract. That deal will be hard to move via trade, but the Rams would only be taking on $22 million in dead cap by releasing the veteran.
The Rams have been extremely transparent about their intentions with Kupp, and the wide receiver finally broke his silence during a conversation with Sam Farmer of the LA Times. He gave some encouraging comments, which should get the fan base in Pittsburgh fairly excited if the team were to acquire him.
"The Rams want to move on from me.” Kupp said. “And I’m in this place right now where I get to go out there, and I’m so excited to be able to produce for another football team. Be who I am.”
Kupp has suffered with injuries throughout his career, but over the last two seasons it seems like injuries have really held him back. He was the best wide receiver in football during the 2021 season, and in the three seasons since then he has failed to play in more than 12 games. Despite the injury woes, the receiver seems to still be in a good head space.
The Steelers should certainly be on the phones with Los Angeles, but at this point it doesn't make much sense to trade for the wide receiver. He will get released from his current deal if the Rams cannot find a trade partner, so it is probably more logical to wait for him to hit the open market. Kupp doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon, so Pittsburgh could probably get the veteran on a multi-year deal.
"I can still do it. I want to do it for four more years at least, and I plan to be playing at a high level." Kupp said. "The way I see myself is I’m ascending, even if people on the outside say I’m descending."
Kupp has not had another season like he did in 2021, but he has still been productive when healthy. His role continued to decrease in the Rams offense, mainly due to the emergence of Puka Nacua, which certainly played a role in the organization deciding to part ways with him.
Steelers Will Have Competition For Kupp
Assuming Pittsburgh is interested in Kupp, the organization is going to have competition. This competition will exist in trade talks, but also if the receiver hits the open market. The favorite to land Kupp is the Jacksonville Jaguars, and they are a much more attractive organization for a wide receiver than the Steelers.
Jacksonville has better weather, as well as a franchise quarterback. The Jaguars have come up short in recent years, but the franchise has all the tools to be an above-average team in the AFC. The Steelers need to get their quarterback situation figured out if the organization wants any chance of competing with Jacksonville for Kupp's services.
