The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently one of the top teams in the AFC, as they hold a 5-2 record going into Week 8. They've fought through a decent amount of adversity to get to this point, including being on their second starting quarterback, having dealt with countless injuries on both sides of the ball, and having a clear weakness at wide receiver behind George Pickens. The front office can't do much about the injuries, but General Manager Omar Khan could make some moves ahead of the trade deadline to sure up Pittsburgh's weak spots.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan speaks to the media.
Khan has been very interested in wide receivers around the league when they become available via trade. He was heavily involved in trade talks with the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, and most recently, the general manager tried to land Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders.
A new name that is reported to be available is veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams. NFL insider Dianna Russini reported that the veteran was available on Tuesday morning, and she just recently revealed the asking price in a post on social media.
The Rams have called multiple teams about trading former Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp sources tell @mikesilver, @jourdanrodrigue, and me.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) October 22, 2024
The Rams have indicated a willingness to take on some of the ‘24 salary and are seeking a 2nd round pick.
The asked price isn't very surprising. Kupp has been one of the better receivers in the league over the last five seasons when he is healthy, which is a big distinction as the receiver does have a pretty lengthy injury history. Kupp is 31, and he certainly wouldn't be a long-term fix at the position, but he could turn the Steelers into immediate Super Bowl contenders if a trade is agreed to.
Getty Images
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp walks off the field after a professional football game.
Kupp has been extremely impressive since being drafted in 2017. He won the triple crown during the 2021 season after leading the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He was the MVP of Super Bowl LVI, and is clearly one of the most impactful wide receivers in the NFL. He is also one of the best route runners in the league, which complements Pickens as well in Pittsburgh's offense. Kupp would free up Pickens to make plays down the field, while Kupp would be able to go to work underneath.
The most important part of Russini's report is that the Rams are willing to take on some of Kupp's salary for the 2024 season. The Rams did this in 2023 for Allen Robinson II after trading him to Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh and Los Angeles have done deals like this before, which hopefully will help get a deal done between the two franchises yet again.
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Cooper Kupp during a game with the Los Angeles Rams.
Steelers Make A Lot Of Sense As A Landing Spot For Cooper Kupp
Aside from the way the games of Kupp and Pickens would complement each other, Kupp landing in Pittsburgh would make a ton of sense. He won a Super Bowl and had the best season of his career playing alongside Van Jefferson, and he clearly thrives with a veteran quarterback. Pittsburgh has that in Russell Wilson. Many NFL analysts believe this move would make a ton of sense.
Chiefs, yes, but also -- and this is disgusting and I hate it, but -- Steelers make a lot of sense https://t.co/w9TIybYOIK
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) October 22, 2024
Kupp has been with the Rams since 2017, and he had a lot to do with their Super Bowl victory in 2021. This means the organization would likely do right by him and send him to a preferable landing spot if he were to be traded. The Steelers should be high on the wide receiver's list. It is fair compensation to give up a Day 2 draft pick, but he would cost a lot financially. Pittsburgh has plenty of cap space in 2025 and 2026, so that shouldn't be an issue - especially if the Rams help pick up some of his remaining salary in 2024.
Do you want the Steelers to trade for Kupp for a second round pick? Let us know in the comments below!
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