Star wide receiver Cooper Kupp is expected to announce his decision on Friday regarding his next team, with both the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks showing significant interest, according to sources within the league. Kupp, who was released by the Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday, has had an impressive eight-year career that includes being named an All-Pro and winning the Super Bowl MVP award.
After efforts to secure a trade partner for Kupp fell through, the Rams opted to release the 31-year-old wide receiver. The team and Kupp’s representatives attempted to negotiate a deal, but ultimately, they could not finalize an agreement before the release. This decision marks a significant change for both Kupp and the Rams as they look to reshape their roster.
The Seattle Seahawks are currently revamping their wide receiver lineup. Recently, they released veteran Tyler Lockett, who had a decade-long tenure with the team. Additionally, they traded Pro Bowler DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Seahawks are also transitioning at quarterback, moving from Geno Smith to Sam Darnold, which indicates a fresh start for the team's offensive strategy. Importantly, Kupp has a previous connection with Seattle’s pass game coordinator, Jake Peetz, who worked with him during his time with the Rams.
If Kupp chooses the Dallas Cowboys, he would not only join forces with All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb but also reunite with receivers coach Junior Adams, who previously coached Kupp at Eastern Michigan. The Cowboys are in need of an upgrade at the No. 2 receiver position, having traded for Brandin Cooks two years ago to fill that role. However, Cooks is now a free agent after experiencing a challenging 2024 season, where he recorded only 26 catches for 259 yards.
Cooper Kupp’s skill set aligns perfectly with quarterback Dak Prescott’s strengths. While Cooks was a solid locker room presence, he struggled to establish chemistry with Prescott on the field. Kupp, on the other hand, would complement Lamb effectively, allowing first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer to utilize both receivers dynamically across the field.
The addition of Kupp would be a monumental signing for the Cowboys, marking their most significant free-agent acquisition in recent history. With Kupp on the roster, Jalen Tolbert could step into the No. 3 wide receiver role, while KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Brooks, and Ryan Flournoy would compete for the remaining positions. Should the Cowboys fail to secure Kupp, addressing the wide receiver position will remain a top priority, possibly influencing their strategy with the No. 12 pick in the upcoming draft.
In the 2024 regular season, Kupp recorded 67 catches for 710 yards and six touchdowns over 12 games. However, his targets declined toward the end of the season and in the playoffs. He managed only four catches on nine targets across his last three regular-season games, had one catch on a single target against Minnesota in the wild-card round, and caught five passes on seven targets during the divisional-round loss to the Eagles. Notably, in 14 games this season, Kupp received 10 or more targets just four times and eight or more targets six times.
As the decision day approaches, all eyes will be on Cooper Kupp and the choices he makes that could significantly impact the future of both the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks.
