In the NFL, every quarterback needs a good duo to complete his plays. Jared Goff has Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery (better call them Sonic and Knuckles now). Sam Darnold has Aaron Jones and Justin Jefferson, Jalen Hurts has Saquon Barkley and A. J. Brown, and so on.
The Week 8 Thursday Night Football game vs. the Vikings has solved that problem for Matthew Stafford and the Rams. The return of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua is a welcome sight, for the team and the fans alike. And the contribution of these two wideouts might have given a clearer picture on the Cooper Kupp trade speculations.
With Nacua and Kupp back to the side, the Rams made the tough game against the Vikings look easy. A team that was 1-4 just 6 days back, now finds themselves on a 2-win streak, improving to 3-4. The NFL trade rumors around the Cooper trade were strong, with new landing spots emerging for the Rams wide receiver every now and then.
The Rams HC Sean McVay’s latest statements hint towards the end of the Cooper Kupp trade speculation saga. McVay was critical of the media speculation regarding the Super Bowl LVI MVP’s trade. The Rams head coach said:
“I think a lot of the things that were out there, speculation was exactly what it was. I’m really glad to have Kupp back with us, and that’s what I expect to stay that way.”
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Even before the Week 8 TNF game, Kupp stated that he was focused on the game at hand, and not on the speculations regarding his trade. Ever since getting drafted in 2017, Cooper Kupp has played for the Los Angeles Rams. He was named the MVP of the Super Bowl LVI.
“There’s all that stuff out there, but there’s something that was cool about all that stuff going on outside the facility. It gave me the opportunity to focus on being where my feet are, being able to prepare as best as I can, and then come out here and let it rip.”
After being sidelined for more than 4 weeks, Cupp made a spectacular return to the side. He recorded 5 receptions for 51 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford.
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Rams wideout Puka Nacua has a heartwarming response for the Cooper Kupp trade speculations. Nacua stated that he does not want to see Kupp traded, despite the ongoing rumors.
Speaking about Kupp, Nacua said, “I hope it is not true. That’s somebody in our locker room, a captain and somebody I’ve grown a brotherly relationship with.”
A win over Minnesota, the contribution of the 2 top wideouts to a winning cause, and Matthew Stafford back to his old self; these are surely encouraging signs for the Los Angeles Rams. They seem to have shut the door on everyone who called to inquire for Cooper Kupp and now, they are focused on the next challenge that awaits them in Seattle.
(Image: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
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