Speculation about a potential trade for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp has been ongoing since the trade deadline, and it hasn’t died down as the offseason begins. On Monday night, Kupp took to Twitter to announce that the Rams have informed him they are trading him and will assist in finding the best destination for him.

Since his outstanding season in 2021 when he won the receiving Triple Crown (145 receptions, 1,947 yards, 16 touchdowns) during the Rams’ Super Bowl run, injuries have limited Kupp’s availability, with 9, 12, and 12 games played over the past three seasons. His role in the Rams’ offense also diminished late this year, but at 31 years old (32 in June), he appears to have plenty left to offer.

As trade rumors continue to swirl, the Detroit Lions have been frequently mentioned as a potential landing spot for Kupp. While this speculation has arisen before, it now appears more plausible.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on “SportsCenter” Tuesday morning that league executives have named four teams likely to pursue Kupp: the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Commanders, and the Lions.

“One league executive mentioned Detroit because of the connection with Jared Goff,” Fowler said. “They came into the league together and made Pro Bowls together. That type of instant chemistry could be exciting.”

The connection between the Lions and Kupp is clear. Jared Goff was Kupp’s quarterback for the first four years of his career with the Rams. Additionally, Lions general manager Brad Holmes was the Rams’ Director of College Scouting when Kupp was drafted in the third round in 2017.

However, any trade talks involving Kupp must address his contract. Kupp is set to earn $20 million this year, split between a $12.5 million base salary and a $7.5 million roster bonus. $5 million of that roster bonus became guaranteed last year, with the remaining amount due on March 15. His base salary will be $14.85 million, with a $5 million roster bonus in 2026, the final year of his contract, but none of that money is guaranteed.

It is likely that the Rams will need to absorb a significant portion of that $20 million to facilitate a trade. They could pay the entire $7.5 million roster bonus, depending on the timing of the trade, which might delay Kupp’s move to a new team. This could contradict the idea that the Rams will quickly work with Kupp to find a preferred destination.

If a trade doesn’t materialize, the Rams could also release Kupp. Cutting him as a post-June 1 designation would free up significantly more cap space compared to a pre-June 1 cut, though timing could present challenges for Kupp finding a new team.

In the end, Kupp could end up with the Lions, and Fowler’s report about their potential interest makes sense. While the situation is uncertain, with many teams likely in the mix for Kupp, it feels like a 50-50 possibility at this point.