Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp has shared his insights into the qualities that distinguish quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold as they prepare for the upcoming Super Bowl in 2026. Having experience catching passes from Stafford during their time together, Kupp is now gearing up for a potential second Super Bowl victory alongside him.
Both Stafford and Darnold have emerged as leading MVP candidates through their performances in the 2025 NFL season, sparking comparisons between the two. Kupp, uniquely qualified to compare the quarterbacks due to his direct experience, discussed their differences during an appearance on the New Heights podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce.
He described Stafford’s advantage by saying,
“One’s got red hair, one’s got gray hair. It is great, though. Matthew saying, when he comes in, it’s like, ‘Oh, I’ve seen that.’ Like, any look, ‘Oh, I saw that. You know, 2012 Week four, like, they brought that same pressure.’ It’s like, okay, you’re ridiculous, dude. You can’t compete with the experience that he has, because it’s not just the experience, not just time. It’s memory. It’s like, he has all that stored in this database. He’s like an AI center.”
Kupp also emphasized Darnold’s approach, explaining,
“And for Sam, Sam is so processed. It’s like, man, he’s seen a lot, he’s been in a lot of different situations, and he carries that stuff with him well. But a lot of it is his process, and he’s preparing through the week.”
Kupp’s Transition from the Rams to the Seattle Seahawks
After the conclusion of the 2024 NFL campaign, Cooper Kupp was released by the Los Angeles Rams, ending his offensive collaboration with Matthew Stafford. He subsequently signed with the Seattle Seahawks, where he joined forces with Sam Darnold and took on a leadership role among the club’s younger receivers.
The Seahawks secured their Super Bowl berth by defeating Kupp’s former team, the Rams, in the NFC Championship Game, a match charged with personal significance for the wide receiver. Following the game, Kupp commented,
“It was a tough ending in LA, and so to be able to get here to have the opportunity to play in the Super Bowl – and I mean, just for the scriptwriters to put the Rams in the NFC Championship against the Seahawks, that was a pretty dastardly thing by them.”
While Kupp may not be Seattle’s primary target in the Super Bowl contest, his extensive experience and reliable presence make him an important option for Darnold moving forward.
Implications for the Super Bowl and the Season Ahead
The forthcoming Super Bowl is shaping up to be a pivotal moment highlighting the rivalry and differing styles of Stafford and Darnold, two quarterbacks who have shown exceptional skill throughout the 2025 season. Kupp’s observations underscore Stafford’s exceptional memory and experience, viewing him almost as an analytical powerhouse on the field, while portraying Darnold as a quarterback with a methodical and process-driven mindset.
This dynamic is set to influence offensive strategies for both teams, with Kupp’s experience providing Seattle an edge in navigating these high-pressure moments. As fans and analysts continue to focus on Matthew Stafford Super Bowl prospects, Kupp’s insights enrich expectations for the intensity and tactical depth of the championship game.
