Cooper Kupp has enjoyed an NFL career as a wide receiver that few in his position will ever achieve, but that doesn't mean he isn't expendable. Unfortunately, his future with the Seattle Seahawks could lead to exactly that.
The Seahawks made one of the biggest free-agent decisions in their recent history by letting Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III walk, instead prioritizing Rashid Shaheed and re-signing him to a three-year, $51 million contract extension.
In the long run and the short term, it was the right decision by Seahawks general manager John Schneider. Shaheed was too valuable considering what he brings to the table. The question is: Where does this leave Kupp? A valuable piece to the puzzle himself, not to mention a should-be future Hall of Famer?
Rashid Shaheed could be the reason Cooper Kupp moves on from the Seattle Seahawks
As far as career accomplishments and trophies in the trophy case go, Kupp has everyone on the Seahawks beat, and beat by miles. Not only is he a two-time Super Bowl winner, but Kupp has a wide receiver triple crown adorned upon his head.
Kupp's best NFL season by far came in 2021, when the Los Angeles Rams swapped Jared Goff for Matthew Stafford. That season saw Kupp rack up 1,947 yards, 145 receptions, and 16 touchdowns — all league-leading numbers as a wideout, giving him the triple crown. That same season, the Rams also won the Super Bowl.
Kupp's season achievements didn't end there, of course, as he was also crowned the Super Bowl MVP. Now, a Super Bowl winner twice over, Kupp's career to this day warrants Hall of Fame consideration, but it doesn't mean his time with the Seahawks will be extended for much longer.
Shaheed's return on his new deal already put Kupp's future in jeopardy. He'll be entering his second year of a three-year deal signed last summer, but he's also an aging veteran who saw a decrease in action this past season. Kupp had some of the lowest statistics in years — 47 receptions, 70 targets, 593 yards, and just two touchdowns (all not including the playoffs).
Kupp hasn't had numbers this low since his early NFL days, and he'll be 33 this summer. Not only does Shaheed's return create uncertainty, but the Seahawks will be handing Jaxon Smith-Njigba a massive new contract in the very near future, which might be the final nail in the coffin for Kupp.
Kupp is about to earn $13 million next season, and with Shaheed earning $17 million, plus JSN's expected deal when it happens, that will almost certainly end Kupp's time in Seattle. That said, contract and dollars aside, what if Kupp has a terrific season ahead? What if he can avoid injuries? It could change how the Seahawks view the nine-year veteran going into the 2027 offseason.
Possibly, only possibly, though. Kupp is one of the most likable guys in the NFL, and everyone roots for him, plus he has all the hardware to back it up. Only time will tell where Kupp falls within Seattle's plans, but right now, unfortunately, it doesn't look like Kupp will be with the Seahawks for much longer.