More often, it doesn’t. More often, an ending is a hard thing. A one-sided thing, as Los Angeles Rams longtime star receiver Cooper Kupp has made clear over the last several weeks as the team worked with his representatives to first trade him, then ultimately released him Wednesday as the new league year began.

For eight seasons the sound of “Coooop” filled the Coliseum and SoFi Stadium, fans embracing the humble greatness of Cooper Kupp as he ascended from anonymity to become the new Rams’ first real homegrown star.

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.