Cooper kupp to the seahawks – what that means for the rest of the league

The Super Bowl Champion, 2021 Offensive Player of the Year is heading north in the division to join the new look Seahawks. On Friday evening, Kupp signed a 3 year $45 million deal with Seattle after being released on Wednesday by the Rams. Kupp was set to make $31+ million this year had the Rams opted into his contract.

Let’s break down what it means for the Rams, the Seahawks, and teams that are diggin’ through dumpsters for their next wide out:

Los Angeles Rams

Let’s start with Los Angeles, after a shaky start the Rams have put together a competent off season. There were many questions around QB Matthew Stafford and whether he would be on the team come August, but the front office worked it out with the long-time veteran to keep him around in 2025. Sure, he was pleased with the restructured contract but I imagine getting a new toy motivated his decision to stay. The Rams signed star WR Davante Adams to a 2 year deal after he was released by the Jets.

But still, losing his most targeted receiver over the past 5 seasons in Cooper Kupp creates a gap in the offensive scheme. His wife and podcaster, Kelly Stafford, spoke recently on the emotions their family felt as they had to split with their good friends, the Kupps. Hey Kelly – it’s business and good ole Matty Stafford still has rising star, Puka Nacua, and will also be throwing to a new legendary pass catcher in Adams. I expect the Rams to be just fine, and would not be surprised if they pushed farther into the playoffs than they did last year (they lost to the SB Champion Eagles in the Divisional Round)

Seattle Seahawks

This team is drastically different than it was just 2 seasons ago. A new head coach in Mike McDonald and now new pieces across the chess board. They traded their quarterback of the past five seasons to Vegas and signed breakout QB Sam Darnold in free agency to replace him. They released their longest tenured player, WR Tyler Lockett, and almost immediately after their best wideout DK Metcalf requested a trade. They would send DK to Pittsburgh in a deal that brought draft picks.

Signing Cooper Kupp makes a lot of sense for the Seahawks. They’re investing $40 million a year into a QB who just came from the best WR room in the league, so naturally they need to give him weapons. Other than the money and the hometown appeal, I don’t understand this move for Kupp. Seattle will NOT be good in the next 2-3 seasons. When they use the picks they acquired from the Geno and DK trades then maybe they’ll have some players to look at developing. They missed the playoffs last year and haven’t done much outside of this Kupp deal to turn any heads. I just think Kupp going back to Washington state is him finishing his career as a loser. Because the Seahawks won’t be doing much winning in years to come.

Other teams involved

Had Cooper Kupp chosen anyone of these other teams, I believe it would’ve given him a real shot at winning. An up and coming Patriots team would’ve featured Kupp in the WR1 spot, instead he is lining up opposite to Jaxon Smith-Njigba who will probably still be the primary option in Seattle. Kupp would’ve fit well as a receiver for Dak Prescott of the Cowboys, finding holes in the defense and making himself open and easy to throw to. Green Bay, who was also in the bidding war for the veteran receiver, would have been a great home for Kupp. Instead, he’s going to waste away the next (and probably final) three years of his career in a hopeless Seattle.

These teams are now scrambling for a wideout. The start of this off-season featured game changing receivers that could travel to other teams. However, Higgins was franchise tagged, Godwin resigned in Tampa, Davante Adams went to the west coast, replacing the Kupp, who just signed with Seattle. Teams like New England and Dallas will be desperate for receiver help which I assume will come either via trade or through the draft. The Patriots sit at number 4 overall with CB/WR Travis Hunter and WR Tetairoa McMillan both expected to still be on the board then. Needless to say, Cooper Kupp would’ve been a great addition to any of these teams.

Written by Colby Shannon March 15th at 10:59 am

As we continue to approach the draft OnlyFootball will be diving further into NFL teams and their expected outcomes for the draft and the 2025 season.