As if Los Angeles Rams fans weren’t already upset about Cooper Kupp not finishing his career with the team, the franchise made things worse with a move that felt like rubbing salt in the wound.
In March, the Rams released Kupp—who had once been the Super Bowl MVP—after failing to find a trade partner earlier in the offseason. Kupp had been one of the NFL’s top receivers, earning the receiving triple crown in 2021 during the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI championship run. However, injuries derailed his career after signing a three-year, $80.1 million contract extension. Over the next three seasons, he played in only 33 games.
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While it was clear his time with the Rams was likely over, fans were shocked when the team handed his iconic No. 10 jersey to new special teams addition Britain Covey. The backlash was immediate.
“Nasty work,” one fan commented.
“More disrespectful than Walker wearing 11 for Atlanta,” another said.
“That number should never be worn in L.A. again,” a third fan wrote.
Others felt the team should have at least waited a year or two before reissuing the number.
Kupp, who was drafted by the Rams in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, spent all eight of his NFL seasons with the team. In addition to his Super Bowl MVP and triple crown accolades, he was named an All-Pro.
Following his release, Kupp signed with division rival Seattle Seahawks, where he will now catch passes from Sam Darnold.
Though his career may not warrant a jersey retirement—an honor reserved for Rams legends like Marshall Faulk, Deacon Jones, and Jackie Slater—fans view the decision to reassign his number as a disappointing end to Kupp’s legacy in Los Angeles.