Most of the current trade discussions surrounding the Detroit Lions are centered on their urgent need for an edge rusher, especially with Aidan Hutchinson joining Marcus Davenport on IR due to likely season-ending injuries. This focus is warranted, given the Lions’ genuine shot at winning the Super Bowl this year.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams seem to be acknowledging a difficult season ahead. According to Dianna Russini from The Athletic, they are open to trading wide receiver Cooper Kupp, seeking a second-round pick and willing to absorb part of his 2024 salary to facilitate a trade. In a surprising twist, Gilbert Manzano of SI.com recently suggested the Lions as a team that should aggressively pursue Kupp.
Manzano pointed out that if the Rams are no longer in playoff contention, they might be more inclined to trade Kupp to an NFC team. Lions GM Brad Holmes has a history with Rams GM Les Snead, having worked together in Los Angeles and St. Louis. Their successful 2021 trade, which sent Matthew Stafford to the Rams and Jared Goff to the Lions, adds another layer to the possibility of a deal.
Kupp’s familiarity with Goff would bolster Detroit’s already strong offense, making it even more challenging for defenses to handle their running game, especially after the recent two-game suspension of Jameson Williams. While the suspension is only for two games, it’s not necessarily a compelling reason for a significant trade for a receiver.
The idea of the Lions trading for Kupp may seem far-fetched, yet some analysts are entertaining the possibility. A sportsbook has even placed the Lions among the top teams to acquire Kupp if he becomes available.
