There’s a Cooper Kupp Update
Earlier this week, the Los Angeles Rams said goodbye to their longtime star receiver Cooper Kupp. He’s getting older, and his injury history is concerning. Still, a prominent player like Kupp will draw a ton of attention.
There’s a Cooper Kupp Update
There are many potential landing spots because most teams seek an upgrade at wide receiver, perhaps even the Vikings. If Kupp was willing to accept a WR3 role, he could form a scary trio with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
But that’s not why the Vikings make the most sense; it’s because they employ his former coaches, Kevin O’Connell and Wes Phillips. Over the years, they have often publicly praised their past student, especially his blocking skills, which seems to be something they miss.
On Friday morning, Adam Schefter suggested that the Cowboys could be in the mix for the wideout: “Developing: A sleeper team that has emerged and is now making a push to sign former Rams free-agent wide receiver Cooper Kupp is….the Dallas Cowboys, per league sources. Kupp’s decision on where to sign could come as early as today.”
He could make his decision any minute or wait a few more days, weeks, or even months. For the first time in his NFL career, Kupp can choose his next destination.
Dianna Russini noted that his decision will come today, though, naming two possible destinations as likely, “Two teams very interested in signing free agent WR Cooper Kupp, according to league sources? The Seahawks and Cowboys. Kupp is expected to make his decision today.”
The Cowboys need a sidekick for CeeDee Lamb, and the Seahawks got rid of Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, so Jaxon Smith-Njigba is, at this point, the only prominent WR option for Sam Darnold.
An hour later, Schefter reported that the Cowboys aren’t a likely team for him after all, “While the Cowboys made what one source described as ‘a push’ for Cooper Kupp, they still are not considered the likely landing spot for the former Rams wide receiver, per source.”
Nobody mentions the Vikings? Well, Russini did on The GoJo and Golic Show on Thursday, “I think Seattle has their eye on him. I think the Jags are watching this as well. I think the Minnesota Vikings. You also have teams that I thought were going to be interested that won’t be — the Tennessee Titans, the New England Patriots.”
The local reporters in the Twin Cities think he might be an option. “I think it’s very possible. There are big Cooper Kupp fans on that coaching staff,” Ben Goessling said Tuesday while talking to KFAN about Kupp to the Twin Cities. “Wes Phillips is a big Cooper Kupp fan in terms of, you hear him talk all the time about Cooper Kupp as a run blocker, Cooper Kupp as a guy who would bring ideas to the offense.”
Kupp entered the league in the third round of the 2017 draft. The Rams pulled the trigger and made a wonderful decision. He immediately became one of Sean McVay’s top weapons.
In eight seasons, Kupp tabulated 634 receptions for 7,776 yards and 57 touchdowns. His best year was undoubtedly his 2021 campaign, which resulted in the Super Bowl win. He won the triple crown, leading the league in receptions, yards, and touchdowns in one of the most prolific receiving seasons in NFL history.
Kupp continued his dominance in the playoffs with one of the best postseason runs anyone has ever had, with 478 yards and six touchdowns, including the game-winner in the Super Bowl.
He is no longer that player. Kupp will turn 32 in June. In the last two years, standout receiver Puka Nacua has slowly stolen his WR1 role. He played in only 33 games over the last three seasons and has eclipsed 800 yards in a year once in that stretch, and that by only 12 yards.
The Vikings face two main challenges in securing the veteran wide receiver: they need to match his salary demands, and he must be open to taking on a WR3 role. Currently, while there may be some interest from both sides, other teams have a greater need for a wide receiver and are likely to offer him a larger role along with a higher salary.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt