Most of the headlines surrounding the WR position for the Seattle Seahawks this offseason focused on the departures of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, which made the addition of accomplished veteran WR Cooper Kupp fly under the radar a bit.
Well, one NFL reporter still believes the new Seahawks WR has plenty to offer on the field for his new team.
NFL Reporter Says Cooper Kupp ‘Can Still Play’
FOX Sports NFC West reporter Eric Williams had some encouraging things to say about new Seattle Seahawks WR Cooper Kupp during a recent appearance on the Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy show.
Williams stated confidently, “Cooper can still play.”
Kupp signing a three-year deal worth up to $45 million certainly suggests the Seahawks believe he can still play at a high level, but 2024 did mark the third straight year where the veteran receiver has failed to top 80 receptions, 850 yards, or 7 scores in a season — which is a little concerning for a wideout who just turned 32 years old.
Williams added, “He still has gas left in the tank. He can still get it done in terms of creating separation in the middle of the field. I just think it depends on how you use him in an offense. And I think the Seahawks are built in terms of the way theyâre gonna run that offense â a run-based approach â thatâs gonna use him most effectively.”
Are Cooper Kupp and Jaxon Smith-Njigba a Good Duo?
Signing a player who once led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns in the same season is hard to argue against, but Kupp wins in a lot of the same ways as Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who just had a breakout year with 100 receptions for 1,130 yards and six scores in 2024.
Williams touched on how Kupp isn’t exactly expected to be a big vertical threat entering 2025 by saying, “Heâs obviously not a guy thatâs gonna be running a lot of go routes as an âXâ receiver. But heâs still a guy that can get open in compacted space on third down and in the red zone.”
This does beg the question what receiver is potentially best suited to act as the vertical threat in this offense with Kupp and Smith-Njigba doing their best work out of the slot.
In theory, Marquez Valdes-Scantling could fill this role but has never topped 700 yards in a season and is 30 years old too.
Jake Bobo could see an expanded role or the rookie duo of Tory Horton or Ricky White III could emerge as a consistent third option in this offense, but the scheme fit does bring some questions with the top two receiving options having somewhat overlapping skill sets.
Yet, the biggest concern for projecting Kupp’s impact is his recent troubles staying healthy. For some context, Kupp has failed top play 13 games in a season for three years in a row.
Williams concluded by saying Kupp just needs to stay on the field by adding, “The key for Cooper is staying healthy.”
If Kupp can stay healthy in 2025, then it will certainly help the organization get the most out of new starting QB Sam Darnold in his first season with the team.
If Kupp can’t stay healthy and Father Time slows him down a bit, then the Seahawks could be looking at a net loss in direct comparison to their receiver production from last season.
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