MARCH 14: Despite a report earlier today that connected the Jaguars to Kupp, the organization shouldn’t be involved within the sweepstakes, per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz.
MARCH 13: It doesn’t sound like a lengthy Cooper Kupp free agency tour is coming. Designated as a post-June 1 cut by the Rams on Tuesday, Kupp is free to sign anywhere now. Several teams are believed to be in on the previous triple-crown winner.
Kupp has drawn interest from not less than five teams, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports. That’s up from three Wednesday afternoon, though many teams were more likely to look into the previous Super Bowl MVP. The Patriots are believed to be considered one of the receiver’s suitors. The Pats are thinking about Kupp and have reached out, in line with Masslive.com’s Karen Guregian and the Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi.
Not viewed as more likely to take his time in signing elsewhere, Kupp can also be being linked to 2 AFC South teams. The Jaguars and Texans have come up as possibilities, Ian Rapoport said during an NFL Network appearance (via the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta) while also mentioning the Seahawks. Kupp is a Yakima, Wash., native, and Seattle suddenly has a necessity for a starter-caliber wideout — perhaps two — after moving on from its long-running Tyler Lockett-D.K. Metcalf duo.
A deal that averages around $12MM per yr has come up for Kupp, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, who adds some teams might be pushed out of this market at that price. But a belief exists the two-time 1,000-yard receiver can command that. Davante Adams, who has been a greater (and healthier) receiver, just fetched a $23MM-per-year deal that got here with $20MM guaranteed. Darius Slayton also just signed for $12MM per. Not nearly as completed as Kupp, Slayton is sort of 4 years younger and doesn’t have an intensive injury history.
The Patriots lost the Calvin Ridley sweepstakes last yr after which saw their Brandon Aiyuk push — one which included the highest AAV offer mentioned ($32MM) during that saga — fail to maneuver them into even runner-up position. The Bengals took Tee Higgins off this yr’s market, and so they are setting a high trade price for a possible tag-and-trade transaction. Kupp was available via trade, and considering the Patriots’ cap space and issues attracting receivers lately, it could have made sense for the team to explore it. But no club desired to tackle Kupp’s Rams deal, which got here with guaranteed salary and a $7.5MM roster bonus. Despite the fact that the Rams were willing to eat salary to facilitate a swap, they resorted to cutting him before the bonus got here due.
In the mean time, Kupp’s asking price is viewed as too steep for the Pats’ liking, Guregian adds. And Schultz indicates that while the receiver has a preference to remain on the West Coast, he shouldn’t be closing doors just yet.
Patriots goal Chris Godwin re-signed with the Buccaneers minutes into the legal tampering period, further thinning options for a team that needs weaponry to spice up Drake Maye‘s development. A bunch of older options can be found, nevertheless, as Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper and Keenan Allen join Kupp as completed free agent 30-somethings.
The Jaguars moved on from slot starter Christian Kirk, trading him to the Texans for a low-end return. Recent Jags HC Liam Coen coached Kupp as Rams receivers coach (stint No. 1) and OC (stay No. 2), and latest Jacksonville GM James Gladstone also comes from the Rams. The Texans’ latest OC, Nick Caley, was Rams tight ends coach for 2 seasons. The Jags would seem to have a greater need, as Gabriel Davis didn’t start his Jacksonville tenure well last season alongside fast-emerging rookie Brian Thomas Jr., however the Texans may not have Tank Dell for much (if any) of the 2025 season.
Kupp, 31, played at Division I-FCS Eastern Washington, attracting the Rams’ attention before a 2017 third-round selection. The Seahawks bringing Kupp home to assist Sam Darnold is smart, though the opposite batch of experienced receivers in free agency provides alternative options within the event the worth point — for a player who has missed 18 games since that Super Bowl MVP award — escalates too far.
