Kupp hits open market and Rodgers could follow

NFL

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp walks on the sideline during a game in Arlington, Texas, on Nov. 29, 2023. MICHAEL AINSWORTH — ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE

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By Josh Dubow

The Associated Press

The NFL league year kicked off Wednesday with one former Super Bowl MVP hitting the open market and another could soon be on the way.

The Los Angeles Rams cut receiver Cooper Kupp just days after signing Davante Adams to be his replacement and the New York Jets are expected to be moving on soon from quarterback Aaron Rodgers following a failed two-year stint.

The Rams cut Kupp after being unable to find a trade partner for the 2021 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

Kupp announced last month that the Rams were trying to trade him despite his desire to remain with the team.

But with him being owed $20 million this upcoming season, no other team was willing to make a trade.

Kupp. won the receiving triple crown and Super Bowl MVP in the 2021 season when he caught 145 passes for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns. Kupp added 33 catches for 478 yards and six TDs in the postseason, including the game-winning touchdown in a Super Bowl win over Cincinnati on the Rams homefield.

But Kupp’s production tailed off in the past three seasons when he hadn’t played more than 12 games in any season because of injuries and hasn’t had 900 yards receiving in any season.

The Jets told Rodgers last month that they are going in a different direction at quarterback for 2025 and agreed to a deal with Justin Fields earlier in the week. They hadn’t formally released the four-time MVP as of late Wednesday afternoon but a move is expected soon.

There are a handful of teams that could still be in search of a starting quarterback, including the New York Giants, Pittsburgh and possibly Minnesota if the Vikings aren’t ready to turn the offense over to 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy.

Rodgers’ first season in New York ended just four snaps into his debut because of a torn left Achilles tendon that sank the Jets’ Super Bowl hopes that were stirred by the QB’s arrival.

He worked his way back to the field to start every game this past season, but he and the offense struggled with consistency and results as New York finished 5-12.

Rodgers threw for 28 touchdown passes and 3,897 yards last season but lacked some mobility in his return from the injury.