The Seattle Seahawks shouldn't be 3-3 by now. Their championship-caliber defense has given the offense a fighting chance time and time again, but unforced errors and inefficient execution have held the team back.
They've now dropped three of their past four games, and while they've been in a position to win all of them, the mere fact that they've had to tread water and resort to game-winning drives is concerning. Also, they're turning the ball over at an alarming rate.
That's why Mike Macdonald, being the player's coach he is, is listening to his key guys for input. Apparently, Cooper Kupp has been heavily involved in conversations with offensive coordinator Brian Fleury and passing game coordinator Jake Peetz to try to fix what's broken.
Cooper Kupp's impact on the Seattle Seahawks' offense will go beyond the field
“It wasn’t just like one conversation. There were a lot of conversations over the last few days,” Macdonald told the media. “Coop’s a part of that. Coop’s a tremendous asset for us. We want all those guys to feel like we’re all part of the solution and how we’re going to move forward. So, Coop’s been great.”
Kupp isn't like the average wide receiver. He's used to spending time in the quarterback room, watching tape with them, and he's often shared his input on what works and what doesn't. He's a football maniac.
He may no longer be the playmaker he was in his heyday; he's a possession guy and won't be putting up 10-120-1 days often, if at all. That said, this is exactly why you want guys like him on the team. Their expertise, their knowledge of the personnel, the offense, and the system are priceless.
Kupp won't complain about his usage or lack thereof; he'll talk from a receiver's perspective to figure out ways to get everyone in sync. Just hoping Jaxon Smith-Njigba can make guys miss and make a play on third down isn't sustainable or winning football, as great a player as he is.
Macdonald isn't an offensive guy, and Fleury is a first-timer. Also, it's not like the play-calling or play sequence has been terrible; it's been a matter of timing and execution, and who better to realize that than a veteran pass catcher who's an extension of the offensive coordinator on the field?
The Seahawks continue to have Sam Darnold's back, and rightly so. He's thrown seven picks despite missing multiple games, but he still gives the team the best chance to win right now. So, since they can't replace him (for now), they might as well work with him to get the ship back on track.
Cooper Kupp might have a future in coaching. He's articulate, intelligent, and an elite communicator, and he's already getting a jump start. And if listening to his pointers is what turns this season around, the Seahawks might want to keep him around on the staff even when he decides to ride into the sunset.
Also, props to Coach Macdonald for being able to take a step back and listen to everyone in the room instead of micromanaging every aspect of the operation or sticking with what's clearly not working.
Add us as a preferred source on Google