Cooper Kupp, recently joining the Seattle Seahawks after eight seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, has quickly emerged as a pivotal leader during a transitional period for the team. As the Seahawks prepare for Super Bowl LX, Kupp’s guidance is helping to shape a new generation of wide receivers, including Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Jake Bobo, bringing both experience and steady leadership to a youthful group.
Reflecting on his time with the Rams, Kupp named veteran receivers like Robert Woods, Brandin Cooks, Tavon Austin, and Sammy Watkins as key mentors during his own development. Their openness to sharing knowledge left a lasting impression on him and motivates his current approach with the Seahawks’ young talent.
A lot of guys have had a say and have shown me how to play this game,
Kupp said on Wednesday, four days before the Super Bowl.
I’m just really thankful for those guys for being (an) open book for me, because I know I asked way too many questions. But they never got upset with me about bothering them with those things. And so it’s a big part of why I want to be an open book for the guys here now.
Boosting the Seahawks’ Receiving Corps After Key Departures
After the offseason trade of star receiver DK Metcalf and the release of Tyler Lockett, many wondered whether rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba could fill the critical No. 1 receiver role. Despite Kupp’s 47 catches—the fewest since his rookie season in which he played more than eight games—the 32-year-old veteran’s versatile presence off and on the field has helped Smith-Njigba thrive and earn All-Pro status.
It’s been a blessing being able to work alongside Jaxon. I think he is an incredible football player,
Kupp shared.
I’ve had a lot of guys that have put their arm around me and helped raise me up. It’s a big part of why I want to be that same way for guys now.
Smith-Njigba’s receptions increased dramatically through his first three NFL seasons, rising from 63 to 100 and then to 119. He acknowledges Kupp’s mentorship as a key factor in his rapid growth and plans to continue asking questions and learning from the veteran.
Kupp’s Impact Rings Beyond the Offense
Quarterback Sam Darnold, who secured his second Pro Bowl selection this year, praises Kupp’s leadership as influential across the Seahawks’ entire organization—not just in the offensive group.
I can’t speak highly enough of Coop and what he’s meant to our offense. Not only our offense, but our entire team,
Darnold said. “The mindset that he has. The way he leads by example.
“But if he does say things, he’s one of those guys where the entire room is dead silent. And then they’re super focused on what he’s saying because we know that he doesn’t waste his breath. He’s always going to be able to say something very, very mindful.
I feel like he’s had a huge impact on all of us in that building. We have a ton to thank for Coop and kind of what he’s brought to all of us here in Seattle.
A Local Talent Returning Home to Seattle
Kupp’s signing with Seattle carried sentimental weight, as he was born in Yakima, Washington, on the eastern side of the Cascades and starred at Eastern Washington University before entering the NFL. His arrival was embraced by fans who saw him as a hometown favorite, eager to lead the Seahawks both on and off the field.
Overcoming the Difficulty of Leaving the Rams
Despite the excitement of his new role, Kupp has been candid about the emotional challenges of his release from the Rams last March. The displacement affected both his professional focus and family life, forcing adjustments to personal and community ties that had been established over many years.
Just as a human, it’s hard to know that what you’ve been a part of, what you’ve known for eight years, that you can’t be able to be a part of that anymore,
he explained. “The most important things to me were those relationships that I had built with so many of the guys on the team and the coaches, people in that organization.
“Knowing that I wasn’t able to come to work with those guys anymore, that was really, really difficult.
“And then there’s the uprooting of your family. Like, ‘Hey, well, work isn’t here, I know that means that we’re working somewhere else.’ And so knowing that my boys weren’t going to be able to be around their friends. My wife (wasn’t) going to be around her friends and her community.
And so all that is tough. It’s difficult. There’s no doubt about it. But you move forward, you don’t linger on that. You’ve got to be able to move forward. And I think about this journey and being here now.
Looking Ahead to Super Bowl LX and Beyond
Kupp’s focus has already shifted toward the immediate challenge ahead: Super Bowl LX on Sunday. His previous Super Bowl appearance culminated in MVP honors after setting one of the highest regular-season receiving yard totals in NFL history and catching the decisive touchdown. Though his role with Seattle differs, his nine playoff receptions indicate he remains a trusted target for Darnold in critical moments.
Reflecting on the change, Kupp expressed gratitude for new relationships and growth opportunities in Seattle, embracing the fresh chapter despite the tough transition.
I’m here sitting here playing in the Super Bowl, and I’m surrounded by all these new friends. All these new people that I didn’t have the opportunity to know before,
Kupp said. “Coaches that have helped me as a player, as a person. And so there’s a plan for it.
You’ve got to be able to move forward and know that sometimes good things die and go away. And there’s new things that can grow in their place.
As Cooper Kupp continues to transition into a leadership role within the Seahawks, his experience and mentorship will be vital in navigating the team through a roster shake-up and aiming for success on the NFL’s biggest stage once again.
