Cooper Kupp ‘Looking Forward’ To Playing Rams With Seahawks

Shortly after being released by the Los Angeles Rams, Cooper Kupp signed a three-year, $45 million contract with his hometown Seattle Seahawks in free agency.

The Yakima, Wash., native drew interest from several teams, but wanted to stay on the West Coast and is now part of a new-look Seahawks squad that recently signed Sam Darnold to be their starting quarterback.

Kupp remaining in the NFC West means the Rams will have to face their former franchise icon twice a season. “Yeah, I am. I am looking forward to it,” Kupp answered when asked if he is excited to play his old team.

“That didn’t play into the decision to come here, but it was a nice little thing on the side to be able to go against those guys. So much respect for the coaching staff, the way that they handle things down there, the players down there.

“I am excited about it, though It’s going to be a really cool thing. When that time comes, it’ll just be football at that point. But I am looking forward to it.”

Kupp had been with the Rams since 2017 when he was selected in the third round of that year’s NFL Draft. The 31-year-old had arguably the best season ever for a wide receiver in 2021 when he won the receiving triple crown and helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI.

But recent injury-plagued seasons forced L.A. to part ways with Kupp. Even as he exits the prime of his career, Kupp can still be productive while also serving as a leader in the locker room and a valuable mentor to young players.

Kupp is essentially replacing DK Metcalf on the Seahawks, who was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this month. Meanwhile, Davante Adams is taking the place of Kupp on the Rams after signing a two-year contract in free agency.

Rams designating Cooper Kupp as post-June 1 cut

The Rams designated Kupp’s release as a post-June 1 cut, which will free up $15 million in cap space after that point.

With the Rams releasing Kupp and designating it as a post-June 1 cut, the dead cap charge will be $14.78 million in 2025 and $7.48 million in 2026. That will give L.A. some wiggle room to continue signing free agents and their draft picks.