What will Robinson, the new partner, bring to Rams?

Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods were as close as two receivers can be during their five seasons together with the Los Angeles Rams.

They worked out together, studied together and built a lifelong bond that will survive Woods’ surprise trade to Tennessee.

When Kupp begins his attempt to repeat one of the best seasons by a receiver in NFL history, he won’t have Woods by his side. In his place, newcomer Allen Robinson II has arrived with a hunger for success and a style of play that seems to complement Kupp quite well.

After sitting out the preseason, they will finally play together Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills.

“I think at this point, everyone is more than ready to move on and see what 2022 brings,” Kupp said. “I think that’s been the theme from the beginning: what are we made of? It’s a new year and what does the old one tell us? We have to pay rent every day.”

Even after several months, Kupp’s numbers from 2021-22 are incredible: He led the NFL with 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns in 17 games on the season, becoming the fourth receiver in the Super Bowl era and the first since 2005 to win what is known as the triple crown for the aerial attack.

He kept pace with his first All-Pro season and his playoff Offensive Player of the Year nomination with another 45 receptions for 625 yards and six touchdowns. The last one was the most important, because it turned out to be the game-winner in the Super Bowl with a 1-yard reception with 1:25 to go.

Kupp was the Super Bowl MVP, with eight receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns. A season of awards, public accolades and attention followed at a level he hadn’t experienced.

He appreciated the attention, though not all of it, after admitting he hates dressing to parade on red carpets, but quickly turned his attention back to the day-to-day business of the NFL.

“I don’t really have individual goals. I’m just interested in being a better player,” Kupp said. “The numbers may not be the same. They may not be better, but at the end of the day, I’m not interested in that stuff.”

And now he’ll work with Robinson, who has three 1,000-yard seasons in his career and a reputation as a sure-handed, good-sized receiver who knows how to go get the ball in the air. And it seems to have suited him well coming to the Rams.