NFL Insider Explains Why Chiefs-Rams Trade Talks About Cooper Kupp Failed

Kansas City ended up trading for DeAndre Hopkins on Wednesday morning.

Los Angeles Rams receiver Cooper Kupp warms up before a game. | Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

Before the Kansas City Chiefs traded for receiver DeAndre Hopkins on Wednesday morning, the team was in discussions with the Los Angeles Rams about acquiring Cooper Kupp.

However, any trade talks failed amongst the Chiefs and the Rams because of Kupp's salary, The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported. The Chiefs were looking for a team who could still pay a big part of the salary of whichever receiver they traded for, and they didn't want to give up high draft picks. It seems that the Rams weren't willing to do this, but the Tennessee Titans were with Hopkins.

It didn't come as much of a surprise that Kupp deal couldn't get worked out, though, as Russini said on Tuesday that she didn't believe the Chiefs could afford the Rams receiver.

The Rams and the the Chiefs discussed Cooper Kupp, but the Super Bowl champs needed to trade with a team that was willing to take on a large chunk of the salary and didn’t want to give up high picks. Tennessee is the team willing to play ball.

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) October 23, 2024

The Chiefs got the deal they wanted with Hopkins, as they sent a conditional fifth-round draft pick that can become a fourth rounder based on playing time. The Titans will also be paying for some of Hopkins's salary.

Kupp hasn't played since Week 2 after he suffered a sprained ankle. He is expected to return on Thursday night vs. the Minnesota Vikings.

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