Fresh off another Super Bowl victory, Cooper Kupp finds himself in familiar territory with the Seattle Seahawks, facing uncertainty about his future much like his days with the Los Angeles Rams.
Despite Kupp's pivotal role in the Seahawks' triumph over the New England Patriots, there's buzz around the league suggesting he might become a cap casualty. While his postseason performance was nothing short of clutch, his regular-season stats tell a different story.
Kupp recently added a second Super Bowl ring to his collection with Seattle’s win in Super Bowl LX. Yet, his regular-season numbers dipped, hitting career lows in both target rate and yards per route run, ending with just 593 yards and two touchdowns in 2026.
With emerging talents like Rasheed Shaheed and Tory Horton already making waves on the roster, justifying Kupp’s hefty salary becomes a challenge. The financials are tough to ignore-a $17.5 million cap hit and a $9 million roster guarantee looming in mid-February make releasing Kupp a financially sound decision.
Cutting ties with the 32-year-old could free up nearly $10 million, paving the way for Seattle to focus on extending contracts for younger stars like Kenneth Walker III and Riq Woolen.
Should Seattle decide to part ways with Kupp, they’re in a solid position to find a capable replacement. The rise of Rashid Shaheed, acquired at the trade deadline, adds depth and flexibility to their receiving corps, making the transition smoother.