After a dominant eight-year stretch with the Los Angeles Rams, Pro Bowl receiver Cooper Kupp signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks in March 2025, returning to his home state of Washington. But while the move paid off for the team, with Seattle winning the Super Bowl, Kupp's own numbers told a different story.

While Jaxon Smith-Njigba broke out — leading the league with 1,793 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 119 catches, averaging 15.1 yards per catch — Kupp took on a complementary role for the first time in his NFL career. He finished the 2025 season with 593 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 47 receptions over a 16-game stretch.

However, he's reportedly looked strong during camp this summer, entering his second full season with quarterback Sam Darnold. Speaking with reporters on Friday, Seahawks teammate Rashid Shaheed explained how much Kupp means to the team.

"Being in the same room as Cooper Kupp, it helps us all elevate to his level," Shaheed said. "Not necessarily to his level, because he's so far beyond what you can expect as a receiver because he's like another coach ... Just his knowledge of the game, how he breaks things down in meetings, he's so willing to help, and that's what we appreciate about him. You obviously see what he does on the field. He's a triple crown winner, Super Bowl champion for a reason. It's just great to have him around."

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Kupp achieved the rare triple crown in 2021, leading the NFL in receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947), and touchdowns (16), en route to first-team All-Pro and NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. He also won a Super Bowl with the Rams that year and earned Super Bowl MVP.

Looking ahead to 2026, the Seahawks are still among the favorites in the NFC, and Kupp will play a pivotal role as the veteran leader in the room and one of the greatest wide receivers of his generation. Shaheed, for his part, is expected to play a bigger role after joining the Seahawks midseason last year. With a full offseason developing rapport with Darnold, he could be in line for a real breakout this season.

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