Cooper Kupp is staying in the NFC West after being released by the Los Angeles Rams. The former Offensive Player of the Year is reportedly signing a three-year, $45 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks, giving them a new former Pro Bowl wide receiver after trading DK Metcalf. Here are the six winners and losers following the Kupp signing.
Winner: Cooper Kupp
The biggest winner here is Kupp. The Washington state native is going back home as he grew up two hours outside Seattle and went to Eastern Washington for college. He’s also being paid well after coming off three consecutive injury-plagued seasons. He might not be the same player he was in 2021 when he was named first-team All-Pro and the Offensive Player of the Year, but he will be a reliable playmaker for an offense that’s being overhauled.
Loser: Jerry Jones
The Dallas Cowboys were linked to the wide receiver, but Jerry Jones decided not to pull the trigger once again to upgrade his team. Kupp would have been a solid No. 2 and slot receiver opposite CeeDee Lamb and would have given quarterback Dak Prescott another playmaker to work with. Kupp is just the latest in a long line of talented players Jones has failed to acquire.
Winner: Sam Darnold
After Sam Darnold left the Minnesota Vikings for the Seahawks, many wondered who he was going to throw to. Seattle traded DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers and released Tyler Lockett. Now we know who the new addition opposite Jaxon Smith-Njigba is going to be. Darnold has a reliable veteran wide receiver who can be a game-breaker he can count on in Kupp. Look for Kupp to be one of Darnold’s favorite targets in 2025.
Loser: Drake Maye
Drake Maye proved in his rookie season he is the New England Patriots’ franchise quarterback going forward. However, he lacks playmakers around him. Kupp would’ve been a perfect complement to Maye, giving him a veteran receiver he can count on. But now, New England will have to look for a high-level receiver in the draft as they hold the fourth overall pick.
Winner: Seattle Seahawks
It’s been a roller-coaster of emotions for Seattle Seahawks fans. They saw their starting quarterback Geno Smith get shipped out, saw top wide receiver DK Metcalf get traded, and saw the very popular Tyler Lockett get released. As they pondered if their favorite team was going through a rebuild, the Seahawks signed quarterback Sam Darnold, four-time Pro Bowl defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, and now Kupp. The Seahawks are clearly still looking to contend with these moves and are not entering a rebuild.
Losers: Los Angeles Rams fans
With Kupp staying in the NFC West, Los Angeles Rams fans will now have to see their beloved former receiver face off against them twice a season. And Kupp will obviously be looking for revenge in those two matchups in 2025.
