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Cooper Kupp landing spots: Steelers, Seahawks best fits for former Rams WR
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- Cooper Kupp landing spots: Steelers, Seahawks best fits for former Rams WR
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NFL teams didn't wait until the start of free agency to make dramatic moves, especially for big-name wide receivers. The Pittsburgh Steelers shipped a second-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for two-time Pro Bowl wideout DK Metcalf and signed him to a new contract. The Los Angeles Rams handed out a two-year, $44 million contract to three-time All-Pro Davante Adams on the eve of free agency.
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On Day 1 of free agency, longtime Buccaneers wideout Chris Godwin agreed to a contract to return to Tampa Bay , taking yet another big name off the market.
One of the biggest names left on the market is longtime Rams wideout Cooper Kupp . Los Angeles was looking to trade him but have instead released the Super Bowl 56 MVP Wednesday at the start of the new league year.
Kupp will be 32 this upcoming season and missed 18 games over the last three seasons due to injury. But his mix of experience and production when on the field could make him a valuable piece for a contending team.
Here are five landing spots for the former All-Pro:
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Cooper Kupp landing spots
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh made the move to trade for Metcalf and gave him a big contract. There's still uncertainty at quarterback but the franchise is making a push to contend in 2025. There are just four wide receivers on the active roster at time of publishing: Metcalf, George Pickens , Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson . Metcalf and Pickens can stay on the outside and let Kupp work from the slot. Combined with a rising offensive line, that trio could make for a solid landing spot for a veteran or rookie quarterback.
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle moving on from Metcalf and longtime wideout Tyler Lockett signals a major change on offense. This team is likely pivoting offensive philosophy under new coordinator Klint Kubiak and new quarterback Sam Darnold in 2025.
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At time of publishing, the Seahawks have Jake Bobo , Dareke Young and 2023 first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba as their starting wide receivers. This is a team that went 10-7 in 2024 and missed the playoffs based on strength of schedule. Armed with five top 100 picks in the 2025 NFL draft, the Seahawks could bring Kupp in to shore up that position in a weaker wide receiver class. And it wouldn't hurt to bring someone in with deep knowledge of division rival.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers entered free agency among the league leaders in cap space but haven't done much with it at time of publishing. The team's biggest moves were to bring in running back Najee Harris and cornerback Donte Jackson .
There may be some positional crossover with second-year standout Ladd McConkey but the Chargers offense needs a boost at wide receiver. The Chargers have a lot of picks in the 2025 NFL draft but have prioritized other positions before and this year's wide receiver class is down compared to years past. Bringing Kupp in wouldn't break the bank and could give a veteran presence to the pass-catching group.
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Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens haven't made any major moves in free agency besides retaining left tackle Ronnie Stanley . That deal took up most of the cap space they had left and they're likely shopping on low-cost veteran deals at this point.
Baltimore had one of the best offenses in the NFL last year but another proven piece in the passing game could only help the team get over the hump against the likes of Buffalo and Kansas City . Kupp could operate in the slot alongside Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman to give quarterback Lamar Jackson another option in the passing game. The Ravens made a similar move by signing former Rams wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. ahead of the 2023 NFL season so this would not be an unprecedented move.
New York Giants
The Giants are in win-now mode given coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen are on the hot seat following a 3-14 performance in 2024. They handed out a three-year, $36 million contract to bring wide receiver Darius Slayton back but Kupp could be good insurance in case he doesn't work out this season. The passing game flows through Malik Nabers and adding Kupp could provide another complimentary piece for a team under pressure to win more in 2025.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cooper Kupp landing spots: Steelers best fit for former Rams WR
