- Super Bowl 59 is this Sunday, but that hasn’t stopped other news from around the NFL.
- Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett, the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, has requested a trade from the Browns after eight seasons.
- The Los Angeles Rams are looking to trade receiver Cooper Kupp, despite Kupp wanting to stay with the team.
Two big NFL stars could be on the move during the offseason. However, only one is making his own choice, while the other is seemingly being forced out.
Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett has requested a trade out of Cleveland. In Los Angeles, the Rams are looking to move Cooper Kupp, despite the receiver’s objections.
Garrett Wants a Chance to Win a Super Bowl Ring
Let’s start with Garrett, who is perennially near the top of the NFL Defensive Player of the Year odds, and won the award last year. After eight seasons in Cleveland, Garrett requested a trade to leave the Browns.
The 29-year-old defensive end has plenty of accolades, including his 2024 DPOY Award. Garrett is a four-time first-team All-Pro, a six-time Pro Bowler, and has led the league in sacks twice. But in his statement, Garrett said:
While I've loved calling this city my home, my desire to win and compete on the biggest stages won't allow me to be complacent. The goal was never to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl.
The Browns didn’t even come close to being included in the Super Bowl 59 odds for Sunday’s game. They finished 3-14 this season, and the future doesn’t look good in Cleveland. Trading Garrett, whose 14 sacks were second in the league, would not only give him a chance to compete for a championship, but also allow the Browns to replenish the cupboard in terms of draft picks.
Cleveland would also move Garrett’s cap hit, which is $19.7 million next season, and $20.4 million in 2026. This move makes a lot of sense for both sides.
Rams Aiming to Trade Kupp, Who Wanted to Stay
Meanwhile, the Rams shocked many people with the news that they were looking to trade Kupp, including Kupp himself.
Kupp, who is 31 years old, has had some injured-plagued seasons as of late, playing nine, 12, and 12 games over the last three seasons. In 2021, he was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year with 145 catches for 1,947 yards, and 16 touchdowns. Kupp was also the Super Bowl MVP when the Rams beat Cincinnati in 2022, catching eight passes for 92 yards and two scores.
However, injuries have caught up to Kupp, who had 67 receptions for 710 yards and six touchdowns this season. He also has two years left on his contract, with a cap hit of $29.8 million in 2025, and $27.3 million in 2026. Puka Nacua has emerged as Matthew Stafford’s #1 target, so it seems like the Rams just want to get off Kupp’s contract as that is a considerable number for a #2 receiver.
Kupp, in his social-media post, said that he is “highly motivated” for his next team, whoever that will be. If Kupp is healthy, he’ll have a group of suitors as he is still very good. He may have to restructure his contract to make it work, but at 31, Kupp still has a couple of good seasons left in him.
