SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 03: Cooper Kupp 10 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates winning the NFC West after an NFL, American Football Herren, USA game against the San Francisco 49ers on January 3, 2026 at Levi s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire NFL: JAN 03 Seahawks at 49ers EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260103023
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 03: Cooper Kupp 10 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates winning the NFC West after an NFL, American Football Herren, USA game against the San Francisco 49ers on January 3, 2026 at Levi s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire NFL: JAN 03 Seahawks at 49ers EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon260103023
Jan 28, 2026, 9:07 PM CUT
Major Cooper Kupp Decision Haunts Rams After $45 Million Move to Seahawks Reignites Career
When the Rams released Cooper Kupp to the Seahawks in 2024, they could've never imagined the repercussions of their decision.
As the Rams lost to Seattle in the AFC Championship game, Kupp, who joined the Seahawks on a three-year $45 million contract, sealed thier fate with a 13-yard touchdown.
Kupp’s triumph against his former team was a monumental moment, which brought new details about Kupp’s abrupt departure to light.
The Athletic's Michael Silver revealed that the Rams had encouraged Kupp to hang up his cleats.
"After the 2024 season, rather than trying to negotiate a salary reduction with the former All-Pro, the Rams had unceremoniously cut ties, urging him to retire," Silver wrote in his January 26 report.
NFL, American Football Herren, USA NFC Championship Game-Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks Jan 25, 2026 Seattle, WA, USA Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp 10 leaves the field after defeating the Los Angeles Rams in the 2026 NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. Seattle Lumen Field WA USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xStevenxBisigx 20260125_lbm_ab9_130
NFL, American Football Herren, USA NFC Championship Game-Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks Jan 25, 2026 Seattle, WA, USA Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp 10 leaves the field after defeating the Los Angeles Rams in the 2026 NFC Championship Game at Lumen Field. Seattle Lumen Field WA USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xStevenxBisigx 20260125_lbm_ab9_130
However, that wasn't all the Rams did. "As Kupp approached free agency, sources say, he came to believe that some L.A. officials had cautioned potential suitors against paying him anything more than the veteran minimum," claimed Silver.
In fact, the Rams unceremoniously cutting ties had left Kupp and his teammates puzzled as well.
The Rams’ Decision Left Everyone Searching for Answers
Kupp was the 2022 season MVP, and between 2017 and 2024, he played 48 games. He caught the ball 341 times and scored 34 touchdowns for 4,159 yards. So, when the Rams discarded Kupp in 2024, everyone was shocked.
“We were asking ‘why’ a lot,” Kupp shared in a media interaction after winning the division championship. “Now we found peace,” he added.
No one was more upset than Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. “It’s tough. Especially for a guy that’s meant so much for me in my career and who helped me get in with the Rams. He was such a huge part of that for me,” Stafford said in his appearance on the “New Heights” podcast in March 2025.
Meanwhile, All-Pro linebacker Ernest Jones IV, who reunited with Kupp at the Seahawks, was ecstatic about the win. "Was tough for me to be to be moving. My son was just born. We just bought a house in LA. To completely have our life uprooted (and) to win this game. Trust me, I won't say it, but this means everything,” Jones said about his experience with the Rams.
Kupp and the Seahawks will battle with the Patriots for the Lombardi Trophy on February 9. Do you think he will be successful in the next game too?
Written by
Akanksha Biradar
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi