Seahawks QB hints at what LA Rams fans already knew about Cooper Kupp

When it comes to the legacy of Los Angeles Rams veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp, there is a proud respect that Rams fans bestow upon the Super Bowl LVI MVP. And it's well deserved. When healthy, Kupp has been one of the most effective and productive wide receivers in the modern era of the Rams football team. But the key to all of that production and effectiveness is just that - when healthy.

After Super Bowl LVI, a season in which Cooper Kupp nearly broke the 2000+ receiving yards plateau in just 16 games, Kupp has struggled to stay healthy. He suited up for just nine of 17 games in 2022. Despite reportedly being healthy in the following year, he could only suit up for 12 games in 2023. And yet again, he returned in 2024 to put up 12 more games. In the past three seasons, he has played 33 games but sat out 19 games.

And that level of unavailability was not what the Rams were paying for.

Cooper Kupp already impressing Seattle Seahawks QB

Much like the path that many NFL teams take with highly-compensated players, the Rams tried to trade Kupp to shed his contract. But NFL general managers are not so easily fooled. Once a player is identified as on the trading block, teams don't bite, forcing the original team to stick with the bad contract or release the player altogether. Kupp was released, and the Seattle Seahawks signed him up.

So that puts Cooper Kupp on the Seahawks roster, and WR Demarcus Robinson signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Two former Rams stars are now playing with rival teams.

But don't be in despair just yet. The Seahawks offense is a work in progress in almost every sense of the word. Their offense no longer boasts QB Geno Smith, WR Tyler Lockett, or DK Metcalf. Now it is trying to manufacture instant chemistry from QB Sam Darnold, WR Cooper Kupp, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba

That chemistry begins from the point of reviewing videos first thing in the morning with his quarterback, just as Darnold describes:

This is not new news to Rams fans. It was the early morning sessions with teammate and quarterback Matthew Stafford that set up the pair to lead the Rams to a Lombardi Trophy. But Kupp was a master of the Rams offense, and Stafford merely had to know when and where to throw the football.

In the newly constructed Seahawks offense, neither Sam Darnold nor Cooper Kupp knows where and when they need to expect the football, and that is why they are watching videos and planning their practices together. And that early-rising reputation has never been in question.

Where the gears begin to slip is when Kupp is needed to suit up for 17 games. And even if he is a full go, can he still juke, head bob, start and stop in his routes to create the separation needed to be targeted by passes? That's where the Rams believe he is no longer in his prime. And that is something that the Seahawks will need to see for themselves.

As always, thanks for reading.

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