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Cooper Kupp trade: Could the Jacksonville Jaguars be a landing spot for star receiver?
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- Cooper Kupp trade: Could the Jacksonville Jaguars be a landing spot for star receiver?
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp penned a post yesterday saying the team was " seeking a trade immediately " for him.
Could the Jacksonville Jaguars be a landing destination for the Super Bowl LVI MVP?
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Kupp, the 69th pick in the 2017 draft, has spent his entire career with the Rams. He signed a contract extension in 2022 after winning the receiver triple crown in 2021.
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The 31-year-old has 7,776 receiving yards on 634 catches for 57 touchdowns in his career so far. Injuries have hampered his career over the last three seasons, though.
Kupp played in nine games in 2022, while playing in 12 in 2023 and 2024. Now, as the Rams try to find a trade destination for the receiver with the third most catches and receiving touchdowns in franchise history, could the Jaguars be a destination for him?
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Jaguars HC Liam Coen, Kupp have history together
Nov 15, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) reacts after the Rams were unable to convert a fourth down against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Kupp played for Jaguars head coach Liam Coen back when Coen was an assistant wide receivers coach for the Rams in 2018. He went on to hold multiple other positions with the Rams including offensive coordinator in 2022.
Could that be enough history for Kupp and the Rams to deal him to Jacksonville?
Coen is certainly familiar with Kupp's skillset. He saw him through the early stages of his career and coached him to 75 catches and 812 yards in an injury-shortened season for Kupp in 2022.
Though last season was statistically the second-worst year of Kupps career, he could add another weapon to Coen and Trevor Lawrence's arsenal.
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What could the Jacksonville Jaguars trade for Cooper Kupp?
This is the interesting part.
According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer , the Rams wanted at least what the Raiders got back for Devante Adams last season. That was a conditional third round pick.
The Jaguars boast 10 picks in this year's NFL draft, including two third round picks. They also have two picks in the fourth round.
Would the Rams be willing to part ways with Kupp for either a third or fourth round pick?
Would the Jaguars move on from Christian Kirk for Cooper Kupp?
Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Christian Kirk (13), seen here leaving the field after sustaining a collarbone injury against the Green Bay Packers in 2024 that ended his season, was released this week because he became too expensive for the team to keep him around.
Another possibility would be swapping wide receiver Christian Kirk for Kupp. Kirk has spent three seasons in Jacksonville, recording career numbers in targets, catches and yards in 2022.
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But the last two seasons have been rough for the veteran player. He suffered a core injury that ended his season in 2023 and broke his collarbone in 2024, again prematurely shortening his season.
With Kupp primarily operating out of the slot, the Jaguars would almost have to move on from Kirk to make the deal work.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) catches a pass during the seventh day of an NFL football training camp practice Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at EverBank Stadium’s Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla.
Kirk spoke at the end of the season about his future with the team, and the uncertainty around it.
"I would love to be here. I'm under contract still," he said. "Obviously, there's other things that I can't really control, so I'm just kind of focused on being healthy again next next year. Being healthy this offseason, getting healthy, and just being the best player that I can be.
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"Because I feel like I've proven that when I'm on the field, I am one of those players that is one of the better ones on the field. And so I'm just looking forward to getting back to that, and I want it to be here in Jacksonville."
Jaguars' wide receiver situation
Brian Thomas Jr. :The offensive rookie of the year candidate broke most of Jacksonville's rookie receiver records in 2024. He finished with 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Christian Kirk:Kirk is heading into the final year of a four-year, $72 million deal. He broke his collarbone in 2024, limiting his season to just eight games.
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Gabe Davis :Davis signed a three-year, $39 million deal with incentives that can get him to $50 million prior to the 2024 season. He struggled with injuries, with a torn meniscus in his left knee ending his season in November. Davis ended the season with 20 catches for 239 yards and two touchdowns.
Parker Washington :The 2023 sixth-round draft pick played in all 17 games, starting 7. He played well, finishing with 32 receptions for 390 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also returned kicks.
Devin Duvernay :Duvernay also returns kicks. He played in 13 games, collected just 11 receptions for 79 yards.
Other receivers on the current roster: Josh Reynolds , Tim Jones , Joshua Cephus , Austin Trammell
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Cooper Kupp trade: Is reunion with Laim Coen possible for Jaguars?
