Cooper Kupp is coming home to Washington. The standout wide receiver, who has made headlines for his impressive playing ability, has officially signed with the Seattle Seahawks after parting ways with the Los Angeles Rams. The three-year deal, valued at $45 million according to sources who remain anonymous due to the unsigned nature of the contract, marks Kupp's return to the Pacific Northwest, where he was born and raised.
Kupp, who hails from Yakima, Washington, has had quite the career since being drafted by the Rams in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He became not only one of the leading receivers but also garnered accolades like the Super Bowl MVP following his performance during the Rams’ title win against the Cincinnati Bengals. Playing for LA, Kupp achieved remarkable statistics, including 634 receptions for 7,776 yards and 57 touchdowns over his eight seasons. His meteoric rise peaked during the 2021 season, when he was crowned AP Offensive Player of the Year, having caught 145 passes for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns, and he contributed substantially to the postseason with 33 receptions for 478 yards and six touchdowns.
Despite being plagued by injuries recently, missing 15 games over the past three seasons, Kupp remains optimistic as he joins Seattle to fill the void left by outgoing stars DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Since Kupp’s successful college career at Eastern Washington, where he shattered records and established himself as one of the best receivers during his four years, he has brought his skills to the professional arena. At Eastern Washington, Kupp compiled 428 receptions, 6,464 yards, and 73 touchdowns, setting NCAA FCS records.
Seattle fans are excited about the prospect of Kupp joining the roster. The Seahawks are embarking on rebuilding their receiver core after significant departures during the offseason, having signed Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and bringing free agent Marquez Valdes-Scantling on board. Kupp, now 31 years old, is expected to be both a leader and key contributor to the updated group.
Reflecting on his past year at the Rams, Kupp acknowledged he was limited last season due to ankle issues yet remained productive when on the field, finishing with 67 receptions for 710 yards and six touchdowns. Kupp's transition to Seattle presents promises and challenges, especially considering the dynamic nature of the NFL.
With Seattle's recent changes including trading for quarterback Sam Darnold and moving on from Geno Smith, Kupp's expertise is anticipated to complement the new direction for the franchise. The Seahawks organization believes Kupp's skillset and knowledge of the game will guide not just his performance, but also uplift the team’s overall offensive prowess.
While Kupp looks forward to this new chapter, there is no doubt he will have fond memories of his time with the Rams where he created exquisite moments of history, including his legendary Super Bowl-winning performance. Kupp has expressed gratitude for his time spent training under coach Sean McVay, who had reshaped the Rams' style and contributed to Kupp's success as one of the NFL's elite receivers.
From his record-setting achievements on the college stage to the NFL limelight, Cooper Kupp's career is poised to take yet another leap as he takes on the challenge of leading Seattle’s revamped offense. Kupp's passion for football and his deep roots in Washington will undoubtedly motivate him to excel as he re-establishes himself among the league's top receivers.
Those following Kupp will be eager to see how he evolves as part of his new team and how his presence will impact the Seahawks' strategy moving forward. Can Kupp remain healthy and lead Seattle back to playoff contention? Can he rekindle the success of seasons past and forge new pathways for future achievements? The upcoming season promises to deliver action-packed excitement for Kupp, Seattle, and the NFL.