Wide receiver Cooper Kupp doesn't get open. This is according to Fox Sports Radio host (and Washington state native) Colin Cowherd. To be fair, Cowherd, like every talking head in the entertainment and sports industry, does have to say some outlandish things from time to time to get attention, but he normally has somewhat logical thoughts in terms of the Seattle Seahawks.
But Cowherd is not a fan of the team signing Kupp. Cowherd claims that unlike Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell, and newly signed Davante Adams, Kupp no longer gets separation from the defender covering him in routes. Is this true?
According to Next Gen Stats, Atwell averaged 3.4 yards of separation per catch in 2024, while Nacua averaged 3.3. Kupp, though, also averaged 3.3, and Adams was 3.2.
Colin Cowherd is unhappy with the Seattle Seahawks signing Cooper Kupp
In terms of cushion yards per catch, Atwell averaged 7.5, Nacua was 6.5, Adams was 5.5, but Kupp was 7.1. In other words, statistically speaking, Kupp was arguably the second-best receiver at getting separation among a group of four that included him, Nacua, Atwell, and Adams.
If there is an implied argument by Cowherd that the issue with Kupp is that he is getting older, his separation numbers imply he is a youngster compared to Adams. Kupp does not have problems creating separation, and the system that new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak runs should allow Kupp to find even more space on the field for quarterback Sam Darnold to throw him passes.
Cowherd said on his podcast, "I thought to be honest with you, one of the strangest contracts to me was Cooper Kupp. John Schneider, the general manager of Seattle, has almost never missed on receivers. He has been fantastic with wide receivers. Cooper Kupp does not separate. Sean McVay moves on from a receiver, they resigned Tutu Atwell because he gets open. They went out and paid for older Davante Adams because if you go look at the analytics, he gets open. Cooper Kupp does not get open at all."
Again, this is statistically untrue and no based on any real numbers.
Cowherd also suggested that, based on the contract the Seahawks gave the wide receiver, Seattle might be going "all in" because the deal could simply be for one year and $13 million, while new quarterback Sam Darnold could also be just a one-year contract worth $37 million. Neither of those are overpays, however. They certainly do not imply the Seahawks are going all in.
If anything, John Schneider's approach implies the team is simply looking more for bridge talent until the team finds a new long-term receiver to pair with Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Darnold's deal is more of a prove-it one. Seattle is simply trying to stay good, but not yet approaching the future as if they think they are clearly a Super Bowl favorite.
Cowherd might have simply been speaking a bit of hyperbole to give an opinion on the moves, but his opinion does not appear fact-based. He does his job well, though, and he will be more correct in the future.
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