We are just days away from the NFL trade deadline and the Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to add the wide receiver upgrade they need. General manager Omar Khan has tried on multiple occasions, but to no avail.
Ideally, the Steelers make a big splash at the position that offers a player who is more guaranteed to make an impact, but options like that are dwindling the closer we get to deadline day.
One possible big splash left out there is Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who was rumored to be on the trade block not long ago. Sports Illustrated's Matt Verderame has proposed a trade between the Rams and Steelers that sends the former Super Bowl MVP to Pittsburgh for a third-round pick.
"If the Steelers want to get a big-name receiver, Kupp is an intriguing choice," he wrote. "He's 31 years old and has been slowed by injuries over the past three years, sitting out 17 games since the start of 2022. Still, if the Rams take on some of Kupp's salary, Pittsburgh would be wise to kick the tires on a Super Bowl champ and the 2021 Offensive Player of the Year."
The biggest problem with this scenario is that the Rams may not be willing to deal Kupp. Contrary to reports, head coach Sean McVay said Los Angeles plans on keeping Kupp. For the Steelers' sake, let's hope that was a smokescreen.
"That's not a move that we want to make," McVay said of Kupp. "He's a Ram and we expect him to stay that way."
Since rumors of Kupp possibly being available came to light, the Rams have won two straight games and are just one game back of first place in the NFC West, so the chances of them dealing him have definitely taken a hit. Still, we can dream.
Kupp would immediately be the most accomplished receiver on Pittsburgh's roster, and he would offer a stellar No. 2 option behind George Pickens and a great safety blanket over the middle for Russell Wilson.
Adding to that, Kupp still has two years left on his current deal, so he could be a multi-year solution. In the same breath, Kupp doesn't have much guaranteed money left on those two years, so he can be cut if things don't pan out.
If the Rams want a third-round pick for Kupp, they're going to have to pick up some of his salary, which is substantial. If they don't, a fourth-round pick would likely be enough to bring Kupp to Pittsburgh.