Cooper Kupp trade rumors: The 49ers' division rival is reportedly no longer shopping for the top wideout

Despite stumbling out of the starting gate, the Los Angeles Rams are only half a game behind in the NFC West and are changing their strategy. While reports surfaced earlier this month that the Rams were acquiring star wide receiver Cooper Kupp, the Rams have shifted gears after seeing an opportunity in the chaos at the top of the NFC West. According to ESPN NFL insiders Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler, the Rams have taken Kupp off the market and will be nowhere.

The 49ers would certainly have liked to see the Rams launch a real fire sale and thereby knock one of their biggest rivals out of the race for the division title. However, Sean McVay and the Rams have apparently switched gears. It's a frustrating domino effect of the 49ers' struggles early in the season. If San Francisco were 6-2 and more firmly at the top of the league, the Rams might be more willing to part with some of their most proven strengths. Instead, the Niners now have another team in the division to worry about.

Kupp has struggled to get back to the elite level since his career year in 2021, when he recorded 1,947 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns on 145 receptions. He remained effective even when healthy, but only appeared in 21 games during the 2022-2023 season. So far this year, Kupp has racked up 23 receptions for 2 touchdowns and 198 receiving yards in three games.