The Los Angeles Rams made a pair of significant moves to reshape their wide receiver corps this offseason—parting ways with franchise staple Cooper Kupp and signing All-Pro Davante Adams in free agency.
Kupp’s release marked the end of a prolific era. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, speaking Wednesday on NFL Network, acknowledged the emotional weight of the decision: “It’s tough when you’ve played with a guy and had as much success as we’ve had together and then move on.”
Still, the sting of losing Kupp was softened by the arrival of Adams, one of the league’s elite wideouts and a dynamic new complement to breakout star Puka Nacua.
Stafford Welcomes Adams to Los Angeles Rams’ Revamped Receiver Room
Stafford expressed excitement about building chemistry with Adams, praising his approach and work ethic: “That’s the kind of guys since I’ve been here in L.A. we’ve had. I’ve been lucky enough to throw to a bunch of guys that take the game seriously, love going out and competing and trying to find a way to get better. He’s no different, and we’re definitely excited to have him.”
He added, “I know for me as a quarterback I feel lucky for all the guys I’ve been able to throw to, and he’s definitely up there.”
Stafford and Adams will continue to build their connection through the offseason, with their much-anticipated debut set for Week One when the Rams host the Houston Texans at SoFi Stadium.
The Rams have had mixed results when integrating free-agent wide receivers during the Stafford tenure. It took several weeks to get Demarcus Robinson into the fray, but he turned into a positive contributor once he settled in. In contrast, the addition of Allen Robinson in 2022 went over like a lead zeppelin, resulting in modest production and a one-year stint.