Is it Time For Cooper Kupp to Pass Torch to Puka Nacua?

After a season full of ups and downs for the veteran receiver, is it time for Los Angeles Rams Star Cooper Kupp to start thinking about his future with the team?

Back in 2021, Cooper Kupp had one of the greatest seasons a player has ever had in the NFL. But sadly, he has not looked the same since.

The Los Angeles Rams veteran finished this season with only 737 yards, as he missed the first four games with a serious hamstring injury. The receiver is 30 years old, and it may be time to start asking whether his production is going downhill. 

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) celebrates with wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) after scoring a second-quarter touchdown at M&T Bank Stadium / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Kupp has failed to hit the 1000-yard mark the last two seasons after almost hitting 2000 yards in 2021. 

Most of this comes as a result of a number of different injuries that the former Super Bowl MVP has sustained over the last couple of years. With all of the setbacks that Kupp has run into, can he still be an elite receiver?

If the answer to that question is no, then he would be leaving the team in good hands, as rookie phenom Puka Nacua stepped up big this season, and could be one of the building blocks for the future for the Rams.

Rams' Nacua Adds Another Record to Historic Rookie Season

If Kupp's prime is in fact over, then he can say that he had one of the best primes of any wide receiver in league history. 

He can also say that he mentored the next generation, as Nacua talked about how much Kupp has impacted him in an interview on NFL Total Access.

"I've been blessed to have five brothers in my own family, but Cooper is the big brother that I didn't know I had," Nacua said. "He has been an absolute blessing, and he helps in every way possible. His communication next to Matthew (Stafford) is second to none."