Cooper Kupp isn't letting trade chatter bother him as he gets set to return for Thursday's matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
"It is that time of the year, there's going to be rumors. I let that stuff, as much as I can, be in the background," Kupp said on Tuesday, via The Associated Press.
Over the weekend, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that clubs have been calling the Rams inquiring about Kupp. Since then, the rumors have only increased.
"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 in being able to step on the field knowing I have prepared the best I can," Kupp said. "And for seven and a half years, I've been an L.A. Ram, and I have taken that approach every single day. Whatever happens outside of that, I got to control what I can control. Right now, that means being the best L.A. Ram I can be."
Kupp has been out since Week 2 due to an ankle injury. With Puka Nacua returning to practice and the emergence of young receivers like Jordan Whittington, the Rams could sell high on the 2021 Offensive Player of the Year.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford, another target of trade rumors, said the speculation doesn't bother veterans like himself or Kupp.
"Obviously, I'm a fan of the league, so you hear those things," Stafford said. "But to be honest, we're pro athletes, professional football players who have kind of dealt with this stuff before, understand it comes with the territory. Don't put much into it because that's a disservice to what we got going on here. We've got a short week and a really good opponent to try to prepare for, so that's our full focus. I know that's where he stays too, so (we) don't worry too much about that stuff."
In the only game he was healthy, Week 1 in Detroit, Kupp caught 14 of 21 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown. Kupp has missed 17 games in the past two-plus seasons due to injuries.
When he's on the field, however, he's been Stafford's security blanket. Kupp has been on the field for 54.5 percent of Stafford dropbacks since 2023, per Next Gen Stats. Stafford's passer rating is nearly 20 points higher with Kupp on the field (98.8) than with him off the field (79.4).
The question is whether Thursday's game is the last for the dynamic duo or if the show goes on.
