Cooper Kupp, the newly signed wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, is open to trying local cuisine in the Seattle area but has had an amusing experience with quarterback Sam Darnold’s food suggestions. When Darnold invited Kupp out for dinner, his picks were more suited for a child’s menu, surprising the 31-year-old Kupp. Reflecting on the outing after returning from minicamp practices at Virginia Mason Athletic Center, Kupp humorously remarked about Darnold’s taste, “The way he came off was he wanted to go get some fries and chicken strips. Look, I have a 6-year-old. I can bring you his food. I can bring that, and I’ll go eat something good.” Despite the initial surprise, he appreciated Darnold’s willingness to explore.
Kupp joins the Seahawks after eight seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, with whom he won a Super Bowl MVP. The transition comes with a refreshing challenge of adapting to a new team and system after signing a lucrative three-year, $45 million deal. Growing up in Yakima, Washington, and being a former Eastern Washington player, joining the Seahawks feels like a homecoming for him. “It’s exciting,” Kupp said about the move. “It’s been a long time since I learned a new offense, a long time since I sat in a meeting and had to put a face on the board and what’s this guy’s name?”
Kupp is eager to learn from the team’s new offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak, whose playbook has ties to the same system employed by the Rams’ coach Sean McVay and the San Francisco 49ers’ coach Kyle Shanahan. Kupp notes similarities in how the offenses attack defenses, which will help facilitate his transition. “There’s quite a few nuances here and there, but a lot of similar stuff, similar ideas in how you’re attacking a defense,’’ Kupp expressed. His past success bodes well for his efforts to embrace the detailed knowledge required in the new playbook.
In recent years, Kupp has struggled with injuries, which affected his game time; he hasn’t played more than 12 games in each of the last three seasons. This played a part in the Rams’ decision to let him go during free agency. However, Kupp asserts that he feels healthy, showcasing his skills during minicamp. In Seattle, he joins a receiver core led by Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who just celebrated a 1,000-yard season. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, another veteran receiver, is also part of the squad, having previously worked with Kubiak. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is notably impressed by Kupp’s and his teammates’ dedication to mastering the playbook and practice regimen.
“They’re attacking every day, man,” Macdonald stated, acknowledging their determination in learning all facets of Seattle’s offense. “If you have that spirit about you every day, it makes it fun to go to work and enjoy the process.” As Kupp prepares for the upcoming season opener against the 49ers on September 7, he is keen to continue learning and contributing to the Seahawks’ growth.
Engaging deeply with the team’s culture and camaraderie has been especially important for Kupp. “For any of this stuff to work, for all the goals and all the things we want to set out to achieve, it’s the understanding that we’re going to ultimately achieve it together,” Kupp reflected. Being part of a community that values playing for each other is something he cherishes and finds motivating as he looks forward to this new chapter with the Seahawks.