Cooper Kupp’s Homecoming: A New Chapter with the Seattle Seahawks
RENTON, Wash. — For Cooper Kupp, the journey back to the Pacific Northwest is more than just a career move; it’s a heartfelt return to his roots. Growing up in Yakima, Washington, about 140 miles southeast of Seattle, Kupp attended a memorable Seahawks game as a child. It was a snowy Monday night in 2006 when the Seahawks triumphed over the Green Bay Packers at what was then known as Qwest Field. The 13-year-old Kupp, who got to skip school the next day, recalls the experience vividly.
“I was up in the very top, frozen as an icicle up there,” Kupp reminisced. “I have memories of being there, being part of that environment, and it’s such a cool thing. That was a special thing growing up, to be able to go to a Seahawks game. A very special memory.”
Fast forward to today, and Kupp, now 31, finds himself back in Seattle, this time as a player for the team he once cheered for. Released by the Los Angeles Rams earlier this month, Kupp has signed a three-year deal with the Seahawks, marking a significant offseason roster change for the NFC West rivals.
“It’s a really cool thing,” Kupp said during his introduction at the Seahawks headquarters. “It’s something that I don’t take lightly. I’m just really excited to be able to be a part of this program, what this program’s been about and continuing to move it forward.”
The atmosphere at Kupp’s 25-minute news conference at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center was filled with nostalgia and excitement. Sporting a Pearl Jam T-shirt featuring cartoon depictions of Eddie Vedder and the band members, Kupp joked, “Send that to Eddie,” as he showed off the shirt to the cameras.
While Kupp is thrilled about his homecoming, he also acknowledged the emotional challenges of leaving the Rams. “It’s been difficult,” he admitted. “In all honesty, it’s been very difficult and frustrating. There’s been lots of questions and things. It’s a real tough situation. I’ve said, I always imagined that I’d finish my career there, but that’s not the plan that God had for me and my family.”
Kupp’s journey with the Rams was nothing short of remarkable. Drafted in the third round out of Eastern Washington, he became a key player in Sean McVay’s offense. In 2021, Kupp achieved the NFL’s receiving triple crown with 145 catches, 1,947 yards, and 16 touchdowns, and was named MVP of Super Bowl LVI. However, injuries have limited him to 33 games since that standout season, with an average of 753 yards and just under six touchdowns during that period.
After learning that the Rams intended to trade him, Kupp expressed his disagreement with the decision in early February. When no trade partner was found, he was released on the first day of free agency. Reflecting on his time with the Rams, Kupp said, “I’m sure they have their reasons for why they wanted to do things, whatever it is. Not a ton of clarity in that regard, but at the end of the day, I’m thankful to be able to walk away from that organization and be able to look back on all those memories, all those experiences, all those things that we were able to go through together, the relationships that we had with so many people there, and look at it in a positive light and be very thankful for my time in Los Angeles. It’s something that we will always cherish.”
Despite the challenges, Kupp is not driven by a desire to prove his doubters wrong. “It’s never been about proving people wrong,” he stated. “I’ve lived in that space and it never goes well. It’s been about being who I am, believing in myself and knowing that I can be who I see myself becoming.”
The Seahawks, in need of a receiver after trading DK Metcalf and releasing Tyler Lockett, quickly expressed interest in Kupp. General manager John Schneider, head coach Mike Macdonald, and the offensive coordinator all impressed Kupp with their vision for building a championship team.
- Kupp agreed to his deal last Friday.
- He secured No. 10 from Uchenna Nwosu in exchange for a donation to Nwosu’s charity.
- Kupp wore No. 10 at Eastern Washington and with the Rams.
Now, Kupp will face his former team twice a year, though he insists that wasn’t a factor in his decision to join the Seahawks. “I am looking forward to it,” he said. “That didn’t play into the decision to come here, but it’s a nice little thing on the side to be able to go against those guys. I know a lot of those guys. So much respect for the coaching staff, the way they handle things down there, the players down there. I am excited about it, though. It’s going to be a really cool thing.”
As Kupp embarks on this new chapter, he remains focused on being true to himself and playing the game he loves. “When that time comes, it will just be football at that point. But I am looking forward to it.”
Originally Written by: Brady Henderson
