The NFC West just got a lot more competitive.
The Seattle Seahawks were licking their wounds following the trades of quarterback Geno Smith and wide receiver D.K. Metcalf.
It seems the Seahawks have reloaded. The problem is the San Francisco 49ers are going to have to face a well-oiled machine twice a year.
Aside from signing free agent quarterback Sam Darnold, the team agreed to terms with former Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp Friday afternoon.
Adam Schefter of ESPN was the first to report the news on social media late Friday afternoon.
The Yakima, Washington native is returning to his home state to play for Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks. That means trouble for the San Francisco 49ers who have seen their defensive backfield depleted in free agency and roster deletions.
The financial terms of the agreement are unknown at this time. However, the deal is for three years.
The Rams selected Kupp in the third round of the 2017 draft out of Eastern Washington. He picked up their offense quickly and he became a star in Tinseltown.
He bolstered the Rams offense and led them to a Super Bowl run during the 2021 season. He helped Sean McVay and the Rams win their second Super Bowl title and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
Kupp had 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns on 145 catches during that magical season. He averaged an NFL-best 114.5 yards per game.
Kupp’s production has diminished over the last few years. He had 710 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 67 catches this past season. He had been overshadowed by Puka Nacua who took over his role as WR1.
The Rams reached the playoffs last season, however, they were eliminated by the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round.
Kupp had seven catches for 90 yards in the postseason.
Kupp had two years left on his three-year, $80 million deal. He was owed $20 million in 2025. The Rams cut him in a salary cap cost reduction effort and also due to the emergence of Nacua.
Kupp looks to reinvent his career in Seattle with Darnold, who led Minnesota to 14 wins last season. If Kupp and Darnold can be as successful as Kupp and Matthew Stafford were, the Seahawks are going to be awfully difficult to beat.
Unfortunately, the 49ers have to find a way to contain another former All-Pro wide receiver who likes to take advantage of depleted secondaries.
