With the Kansas City Chiefs trading for DeAndre Hopkins, the Pittsburgh Steelers are now the favorites to land Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Cooper Kupp at -125, according to SportsBettingAg. The Los Angeles Chargers (+400), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+600), Detroit Lions (+700) and Atlanta Falcons (16/1) follow the Steelers in the odds.
The Rams have called multiple teams about trading the former Super Bowl MVP, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. The Rams have indicated a willingness to take on some of the ‘24 salary and are seeking a second-round pick.
The Steelers have been in search for a No. 2 wide receiver since trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in March. General manager Omar Khan went all-in for San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk this offseason and came up short. He also missed out on Davante Adams, who formerly was with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Through seven games, the Steelers are 5-2 and could be possible contenders in the AFC. They’re probably a wide receiver away from becoming a potent offense and Kupp would be an ideal fit in Arthur Smith’s offense.
Kupp, 31, has recorded 585 receptions for 7,213 yards (12.3 average) and 52 touchdowns in 94 career games. Injuries have slowed him down in the last two years and this season, but he had a banner year in 2021, when he led the Rams to a Super Bowl title.
In 2021, Kupp caught 145 passes for 1,947 yards (13.4 average) and 16 touchdowns. He was named Super Bowl MVP after recording eight receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns in the Rams’ 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
When revealing why he switched to Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told Jay Glazer of FOX Sports that “I’m trying to win a world title here.” If the Steelers want to be considered legitimate contenders in the AFC, landing Kupp in a trade certainly would bolster their chances of beating teams like the Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens.