What Seahawks saw in Cooper Kupp making him a bargain that other teams missed

When NFL teams were confronted with the need to trade some form of draft pick compensation to Los Angeles Rams for the right to pay veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp $20 million to play for their team in 2025, they balked. With an injury-prone history over the past three seasons, and perceived waning skills on the football field, the cost was seen as too high. But to keep their word, the team had no intention of playing Kupp in 2025. While on the roster, his clock was ticking.

But that is no longer the case. As of March 12, 2025, the LA Rams released Kupp. Whether it was the fact that teams had to pay the Rams for the right to pay Kupp, or a general bad taste that paying Kupp $20 million in 2025, I'm not sure. But with neither impediment standing in teams' way, the market is now red-hot for Kupp. That was our prediction. That is how NFL Insiders now predict his market.

We shared the most obvious landing spot for Kupp. Then I pondered over the matter, and had to pull in the reins to limit six more NFL teams that needed to get busy pursuing Kupp. An NFL analyst who always seems to be plugged into the Rams came up with his list of teams. Ultimately, 31 NFL teams can benefit instantly by adding Kupp to the locker room.

All could, but only one did. So what made the Seattle Seahawks so insightful? Why did they persevere when so many teams had legitimate reasons to pursue Kupp for their roster? Ultimately, it came down to perception. Many teams viewed Kupp for what he can do for them on the football field. But that is only one of many elite attributes he brings to an NFL team. What do I mean? Let's explore further:

For openers, it makes sense for the former Eastern Washington University wide receiver who hails out of Yakima, Washington, to move closer to home. But why did the Seahawks agree to pay Kupp up to $45 million over three years? Because he's worth it, that's why. What made him worth it? Let me explain:

An offensive assassin

The first thing that jumps off the screen when witnessing Cooper Kupp competing in a football game is the way that he never takes a play off. More than once, a broken play ended with Stafford wide open downfield because the two shared the same vision of how to handle challenges. Kupp never downshifts. He is a player that gives his all on every play, no matter what he has been asked to do.

When Odell Beckham Jr. fell to an ACL in Super Bowl LVI, Kupp did what he always does. He carried the team on his back for the win. He's not the biggest or fastest wide receiver on the foortball field. But he could be the most savvy, and he is absolutely the guy with the strongest passion for the game. He wins because he never takes his foot off the gas.

Players who achieve elite status in the NFL sometimes get there with perfect circumstances. Kupp climbed to that level through the sweat of his brow and his unrelenting will. He had many reasons not to become one of the NFL's elite receivers. He just shrugged them off, time and time again.