The Detroit Lions have been one of the most formidable teams in football over the last two seasons, as Dan Campbell’s squad has secured two consecutive NFC North titles, reached the NFC Championship Game in 2023, and were the No.1 seed in the NFC in 2024.
Though Detroit suffered a heartbreaking divisional-round defeat to the Washington Commanders, the franchise is still trending upwards and will have another offseason to bolster a roster that doesn’t have many pressing needs.
Though general manager Brad Holmes has done an excellent job building the Lions into a powerhouse in the NFC, the team still has some glaring weaknesses, especially at wide receiver. Outside of Amon-Ra St.Brown and Jameson Williams, Detroit lacks high-end talent and production at receiver.
The Lions should look to acquire another playmaker this offseason, and The Wright Way Network’s Daniel Alameda predicts Detroit will pull off a blockbuster trade for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp.
The trade of Cooper Kupp to the Detroit Lions could be the perfect move for both teams. For the Rams, it’s an opportunity to shed an aging, expensive contract and focus on building around the young talent they have, led by Puka Nacua. For the Lions, it’s a chance to add an elite receiver who would instantly elevate their offense and help push them toward championship contention.
With Nacua now firmly in control of the Rams’ receiving core, and Kupp’s trade value still high, the time may be right for Los Angeles to part ways with one of their most iconic players. The Lions, eager to add a proven No. 2 receiver to their ranks, are the perfect trade partner, making this deal a win-win for both franchises as they chart their respective courses into the future
Kupp has been a consistent playmaker for Los Angeles since entering the league in 2017. The 31-year-old has totaled six straight seasons with over 700 receiving yards and has also notched two 1,000-yard campaigns.
The 2017 third-round pick’s strongest campaign came in 2021 when he posted one of the greatest wide receiver seasons ever. Kupp won the triple crown with 145 catches for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns and also took home MVP honors at Super Bowl LVI.
Obviously, Kupp isn’t the same player he once was in 2021 and has dealt with some injuries over the last few years, but he has still been a reliable security blanket for Matthew Stafford and is a savvy route runner who rarely drops passes.
Kupp’s future with the Rams is uncertain. After the team’s divisional round defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles, the veteran stated that he plans to play football next year but is unsure whether he’ll be in Los Angeles.
“I feel like I’ve got a lot of good football left in me,” Kupp said in the Rams’ final open locker room session of the season. “I’ll be playing football next year. That much I know.”
“Who knows what’s going to happen,” Kupp added. “That’s out of my control. And we will see what it’s going to be. … I don’t have any clarity on what that’s going to look like or anything like that. So yeah, obviously would love to be in L.A., but I don’t know what that’s going to look like.”
If Kupp is placed on the trade market, the Lions should absolutely look to acquire the 2021 All-Pro. Though the former Eastern Washington standout’s best days are behind him, Kupp would be a fantastic WR3, and the Lions have the resources to facilitate a trade with Los Angeles.
Detroit is projected to have $57 million in cap space this offseason, per Over the Cap. Kupp still has two years left on a $80 million extension he signed in 2022, but Detroit is looking to compete for a Super Bowl now and have plenty of cap room, so enduring his contract shouldn’t scare Brad Holmes away.
Additionally, the Lions should have just enough draft capital to strike a deal with the Rams to bring Cooper Kupp to the Motor City.
