The Seattle Seahawks have to do something. The team began the offseason with an offensive line that was bad, but at least the receiving group was a strength. But after trading DK Metcalf and releasing Tyler Lockett, Seattle's receiving corps is arguably one of the worst in the NFC. Only the ascending Jaxon Smith-Njigba remains as far as productive receivers.
Seattle will likely take a wideout or two in the 2025 NFL draft, but expecting a rookie receiver to do well is asking a bit much. That position has one of the most difficult times adjusting to the NFL because the speed of the secondaries and the schemes are far greater than they were in college. Even JSN struggled as a rookie.
While taking a wideout in the early rounds of the draft is a must, signing a proven veteran to help JSN is just as much of a must. One option that could be available as soon as Wednesday is the Los Angeles Rams' Cooper Kupp. LA was trying to find a trade partner but, for several reasons, has been unable to do so.
Cooper Kupp would fit nicely into the Seattle Seahawks offensive system
One is that Kupp would still be owed nearly $20 million if he is dealt. That is a tremendous amount to pay an aging receiver who has a history of getting hurt. If no team makes a move for Kupp, then the Rams have said they would release him when the new league year begins, which is on Wednesday.
This means any team could be free to sign Kupp in free agency and save a lot of money by not having to deal with his current contract. The Seahawks need to pursue Kupp aggressively if he becomes available.
The Eastern Washington product (Kupp is also originally from Washington state as he grew up in Yakima) will never replicate his 2021 season. That year, he had a league-leading 145 catches, 1,947 receiving yards, and 16 touchdowns. Since that year, he has missed at least five games each season. He is more of a possession receiver than an explosive one.
But the soon-to-be 32-year-old has always had a high level of football IQ, and he knows how to get open. He would also be a great fit in new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's system, which is less concerned about splash plays and more concerned about ball-control and longer drives.
The question becomes about money. No team has been willing to trade for the receiver, but many might want him in free agency. He is still unlikely to get paid more than $10 million a season, and even after signing quarterback Sam Darnold, the Seahawks have the fifth-most cap room in the NFL at $58,845,470, according to Over the Cap.
In other words, Seattle can bid competitively against any other team. JSN needs help, and Cooper Kupp, if released by the Rams, should be part of that.
