The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are tied atop the NFC South with a 4-3 record, but they have recently caught the injury bug. Could they pursue a former Super Bowl MVP?
As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers watched their two best wide receivers, Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, fall to injuries during a Week 8 Monday Night Football loss to the Baltimore Ravens, it became clear: If the season is to be salvaged, help must come from the outside.
Chris Godwin’s season-ending dislocated ankle and Mike Evans’ lingering hamstring injury, sidelining him until after the Week 11 bye, have left a massive hole in the Buccaneers’ offense. For a team clinging to playoff hopes, losing two of its highest-paid stars feels like an insurmountable setback.
The question now looms—will Tampa Bay make a move to fill the void? The Buccaneers may need to act fast in a season teetering on the edge. One name consistently surfaces in these discussions: Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp. The All-Pro wideout could be the spark this offense needs, offering veteran leadership, elite route-running, and the ability to instantly change the game.
For Tampa Bay, a move like this could be the difference between fading into the background and reigniting their playoff aspirations.
Cooper Kupp Acknowledges Trade Rumors
For now, Kupp is still a part of the Rams and is prepping for a Thursday night showdown with the Minnesota Vikings. The former Super Bowl MVP has acknowledged that the rumors are impossible to ignore, but there is very little he can do to control his future at this point.
“I’m aware of it, but at the end of the day, I mean, I’m going to be where my feet are,” Kupp told ESPN’s Sarah Barshop. “That’s all I know. I have a job to do here. And I take a lot of pride in giving everything I can for the guys in this building and being able to step on the field knowing that I prepared the best that I can … And whatever happens outside of that, I’ve got to control what I can control. And right now, that means being the best L.A. Ram that I can be.”
No matter what ends up happening, Cooper Kupp will always be a Ram to me. pic.twitter.com/5gfttzvltq
— RambLAng Man (@RambLAngMan) October 23, 2024
Kupp, a First Team All-Pro in 2021, has amassed 7,213 receiving yards and 52 touchdowns in his time with the Rams. But at 31, Kupp’s career has been shadowed by injuries. Since his stellar 2021 season, he’s struggled to stay on the field, dealing with a high ankle sprain in 2022 and a hamstring issue in 2023. Currently, he’s still recovering from an ankle injury sustained in Week 2. While his talent is undeniable, Kupp’s recent battles with injuries leave questions about how much he can still give, even as teams eye him as a game-changer.
What Would it Take to Land Cooper Kupp?
For the Buccaneers, the financial strain of trading for Kupp may outweigh the cost in draft capital, which could be a 2025 fourth-round pick. Kupp’s contract, while appealing in 2024 at around $10 million, becomes a heavier burden in the following two years, with $20 million due each season.
The Buccaneers already have significant money tied up in Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, committing $112 million between the two. Godwin is in the final season of a 3-year, $60 million deal, while Evans just entered the first year of a 2-year, $52 million contract.
As the trade deadline looms, Tampa Bay’s decision to make a move at wide receiver could hinge on their outcome against the Atlanta Falcons this weekend. If they can’t win, a trade may not be enough to salvage the season. Even if a trade happens, Kupp seems unlikely to be the solution despite his fit in Liam Coen’s offense.
