The star wide receiver and team leader hasn’t found the same form since a midseason ankle injury in 2022. By designating Kupp a post-June 1 cut, the Rams save $15 million against the salary cap.

The NFL league year kicked off Wednesday with two former Super Bowl MVPs hitting the open market. The Los Angeles Rams cut receiver Cooper Kupp just days after signing Davante Adams to be his replacement and the New York Jets released quarterback Aaron Rodgers following a failed two-year stint.

They can be especially difficult in the NFL, where the rare fairytale — player walks into the sunset of retirement after a championship, on his terms and with his preferred team — happens every so often,