The Detroit Lions offseason is not yet underway, but already, trade rumors are flying.
After Los Angeles Rams' wide receiver Cooper Kupp was put on the trading block, the Lions were quickly named a potential suitor. There is some debate about whether Detroit needs another receiver, but count Amon-Ra St. Brown as an advocate.
On the "St. Brown Podcast" this week, St. Brown discussed the idea of Kupp in the Lions' offense.
"You get him, you're getting a vet. You're getting a good locker room guy. Smart. Probably (would) learn the offense super quick. Knows how to get open. You already know what you're getting in Cooper Kupp. Imagine (if) we got him. Me, Coop, (Jameson) Williams, Tim Patrick, Kalif Raymond, Sam LaPorta, (David) Mongomery, Jahmyr (Gibbs), Penei (Sewell), Frank (Ragnow), Taylor (Decker) Jared (Goff), Craig Reynolds. I could keep going. I'm just saying, that'd be crazy."
Adding Kupp would certainly need to come with a contract restructure given the receiver is owed nearly $20 million the next two seasons. The Lions would likely want to get that number down so they could remain in play for other moves to improve their defense.
If there was any concern about how the top player on the offense would receive a potential Kupp trade, it's apparently not something to be worried about.
Amon-Ra St. Brown surprised Cooper Kupp is going to be traded
At 31 years old, Kupp is still a solid receiver. He's been a Super Bowl MVP and he was the 2021 Offensive Player of the Year. While he has endured injuries and declined a bit, he is still capable of putting up a good season in an offense he would likely be accustomed to. St. Brown, for his part, was shocked to learn a talent like Kupp would be available at all.
"If you would have said three years or ago or four years ago when they won the Super Bowl that he was going to be traded, I'd be like 'no way.' He did feel like a 'Rams for life' type guy. I feel like that tells you everything you've got to know about this league. No matter what happens, it's always like anything is up for grabs."
Following the abrupt end of Detroit's season in January, players and coaches discussed the sobering reality that next year's team won't be the same as last year's team. There are always surprises and it's tough to keep a roster together. Kupp's looming exit from Los Angeles is proof of that. If he comes to Detroit, he would likely find a soft landing.