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Report: Minnesota Vikings Interested in Former OPOY
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- Report: Minnesota Vikings Interested in Former OPOY
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
No, this article is not about Aaron Rodgers , who the Minnesota Vikings are reportedly considering as a one-and-done Super Bowl run bridge option for JJ McCarthy in 2025. This certainly does pertain to that possible signing, however.
A large chunk of Sam Darnold 's success as quarterback of the MN Vikings in 2024 can be attributed to the coaching chops of Kevin O'Connell and the rest of the team's offensive coaching staff, especially QB coach Josh McCown and now departed assistant QB coach, Grant Udinski.
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Related: Minnesota Vikings Free Agency Signings – 2025
From a coaching standpoint, there may be no better spot in the entire NFL than in Minnesota. And that may have been more true last season, than it will be in 2025, now that Udinski is in Jacksonville trying to propel the career of Trevor Lawrence , who was once seen as the most non-miss QB prospect since Andrew Luck .
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
It's difficult to find a set of offensive skill player talent, like what the Minnesota Vikings had on roster last season, which they're all now scheduled to be back in 2025. But wait, there's also a good possibility KOC's offense will have even more fire power this year, than it did last year.
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Minnesota Vikings interested in Cooper Kupp
After one year of trusting Jalen Nailor to perform their WR3 duties, the Vikings are looking for an upgrade. And, according to Dianna Russini (The Athletic) on Gojo and Golic (Mike Golic Jr and Sr) , Minnesota's top option appears to be one of the best skill position talents left on the free agency big board, former All-Pro and Offensive Player of the Year, Cooper Kupp.
"There are a lot of teams interested in [Cooper Kupp]. The price range, it's a good number. He's looking to get paid around $14-$15 million…I think Seattle's got their eye on him. I think the Jags are watching this as well, I think the Minnesota Vikings [are interested].
"I think the Green Bay Packers are poking around. I like looking at teams that are probably trying to make a run. I also know Tom Brady loves Cooper Kupp. I'm interested to see if the Raiders are going to make a push here."
Cooper Kupp, 31 , won OPOY with the LA Rams in 2021 with 145 receptions, 1,957 yards and 16 touchdowns. The Rams' offensive coordinator that season, which ended in a Super Bowl victory, was now Minnesota Vikings head coach, Kevin O'Connell.
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What does Cooper Kupp still bring to the table?
Kupp has played 8 years in the NFL , after being drafted in the 3rd round by the Rams in 2017. He's totalled 634 receptions, 7,776 yards and 57 touchdowns in 104 career games (89 starts). While he hasn't been the same guy since his OPOY season, Kupp has still recorded at least 59 receptions and 700+ yards in each of the last three seasons, despite not playing in more than 12 games.
| Season |
Age |
G |
Tgt |
Rec |
Yds |
Y/R |
TD |
Y/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 |
15 |
94 |
62 |
869 |
14.0 |
5 |
57.9 |
|
| 25 |
8 |
55 |
40 |
566 |
14.2 |
6 |
70.8 |
|
| 26 |
16 |
134 |
94 |
1161 |
12.4 |
10 |
72.6 |
|
| 27 |
15 |
124 |
92 |
974 |
10.6 |
3 |
64.9 |
|
| 28 |
17 |
191 |
145 |
1947 |
13.4 |
16 |
114.5 |
|
| 29 |
9 |
98 |
75 |
812 |
10.8 |
6 |
90.2 |
|
| 30 |
12 |
95 |
59 |
737 |
12.5 |
5 |
61.4 |
|
| 31 |
12 |
100 |
67 |
710 |
10.6 |
6 |
59.2 |
|
| 8 Yr |
8 Yr |
104 |
891 |
634 |
7776 |
12.3 |
57 |
74.8 |
BOLD: Led NFL
Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com
: View Original Table
Cooper Kupp Highlights from just 12 games last season, shall we?
710yds, 6TDs: 12 Games.
The other drop is in the playoffs where he had 90yds.
You will see in this video that Kupp is open a ton. He has great route running but even when theres little separation, he catches it. pic.twitter.com/AIlWGfdEFE— DrakeMuse (@DrakeMayeTD) March 12, 2025
MN Vikings are an incredible situation for next QB
The next quarterback of the MN Vikings will have the same weapons system that Darnold had at his disposal in 2024, though. An arsenal that is highlighted by the league's best (and highest paid ) wide receiver, Justin Jefferson .
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But Jefferson is only the tip of the iceberg. Minnesota also employs the best WR2 in the NFL, Jordan Addison . And let's not forget about one of the league's best pass-catching tight ends, TJ Hockenson, plus newly re-signed running back , Aaron Jones .
Related: Minnesota Vikings Have Already Won NFL Free Agency
Whether it's JJ McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers or someone else, the Vikings' next quarterback will also be protected by what looks like one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, on paper. That's especially true after this week's signings of former Colts , (C) Ryan Kelly and (G) Will Fries . Now, will that offense also employ Cooper Kupp as its WR3? We'll find out soon enough.
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