Kupp not looking to reset receiver market with next contract
This year's explosion in the wide receiver market left many wondering what Cooper Kupp's next contract with the Los Angeles Rams might look like. Though Kupp's stellar 2021 season put him in a position to potentially reset that market again, the All-Pro wideout isn't demanding that happens.
"I don't think that's the approach that I take," Kupp said, according to Nick Shook of NFL.com. "There's a place you want to be. There's a place that I think is fair."
Kupp isn't among the NFL's highest-paid pass-catchers, but no other receiver dominated like he did last season. The 2017 third-round pick led the league in catches (145), yards (1,947), and touchdown receptions (16) en route to winning the Offensive Player of the Year award. He also shone in the postseason, winning Super Bowl MVP honors after leading his team to a title.
Kupp, who has two years left on his contract, currently ranks 18th among wideouts in average annual salary at $15.75 million, according to Spotrac. He previously inked a three-year, $47.25-million extension in 2020.
The 28-year-old's contract is well behind the historic pacts signed by Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams this offseason.
The Las Vegas Raiders acquired Adams from the Green Bay Packers in March and gave him a five-year, $140-million deal, which was at the time an all-time record for average annual value ($28 million) at his position. Hill topped that a week later after the Miami Dolphins traded for him and signed him to a four-year, $120-million contract ($30 million per season).
Buffalo Bills receiver Stefon Diggs recently inked a four-year extension worth $24 million annually.
"I'm not trying to beat anybody. I'm not trying to compare myself to anyone else," Kupp said.
Rams head coach Sean McVay said Tuesday that extending Kupp is a priority this spring, adding the two sides have had "good dialogue," according to The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue.
Many receivers are looking to take advantage of the inflated market. The Tennessee Titans' A.J. Brown, San Francisco 49ers' Deebo Samuel, and Washington Commanders' Terry McLaurin will reportedly skip their teams' voluntary on-field offseason programs as they seek new extensions.
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