The Seahawks have agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal with WR Cooper Kupp. We don't yet know how much of that's guaranteed, and these contracts often include "outs" that wind up not making them worth their full reported value -- especially for older players. But Kupp wound up getting the annual average he was reportedly searching for, and thatmultiple reports said took him out of consideration for multiple teams.
Warren Sharp on X: "this is not good
Cooper Kupp's rank in ability to get 'open'
2021: #15 of 160
2022: #71 of 150
2023: #102 of 153
2024: #141 of 159
per ESPN's player tracking data"
(bolding mine)
This is a weird move by the Seahawks.
Kupp played just 33 of a possible 51 regular-season games over the past three seasons, thanks to multiple lower-body injuries.
He averaged 5.3 receptions and 60.3 yards per game over the past two years, after going for 8.5 receptions and 106.1 yards per game the previous two seasons.
Even if Seattle blames the slide on his injuries and believes he can rebound, though, the Seahawks have invested in a primary slot WR to join Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has also been more productive in the slot than out wide.
Kupp will turn 32 in June. Our historical player aging research says that WRs often see significant production drops in that age-32 season.
Seattle also sports a new OC, Klint Kubiak, with just two other (separated) seasons of piloting offenses. And it imported QB Sam Darnold, who has one good season of NFL production.
Put it all together, and it's tough to bet on Kupp posting strong numbers in 2025.
The guaranteed money -- and dead-cap numbers by year -- will be interesting. I don't imagine many fantasy players are betting on Kupp over the longer term, though. So he's bound to be available on the cheap if you want to take a shot on him outperforming expectations.
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