Cooper Kupp is arguably the top wide receiver available on the open market, and reports across the league indicate he will try to find a new team in short order. A third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, a series of injuries prevented Kupp from recapturing his magic 2021 form over the past few seasons. Now on the wrong side of 30, the former All-Pro and Super Bowl MVP isn’t the player he once was but is still a solid contributor when healthy.
While nobody was willing to trade for the wide receiver, several suitors have emerged now that Kupp is a free agent. While it’s still anyone’s guess as to where he’ll actually sign, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Dallas Cowboys are “a sleeper team” for Cooper Kupp and will pursue the free agent. The only question is whether or not they can outbid the competition for his services.
REPORT: Cowboys Named “Sleeper Team” For Free Agent Cooper Kupp
The Dallas Cowboys have a great wide receiver in CeeDee Lamb, but the rest of their depth chart leaves a lot to be desired. Brandin Cooks showed his age last year, and nobody seems interested in re-signing the free agent. Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin, meanwhile, are nothing more than replacement-level journeymen. Cooper Kupp might not have another 1,900-yard season in his system, but he’d easily be the second-best wide receiver on this team.
Even though they’re the NFL’s most valuable franchise, the Dallas Cowboys have not been big spenders in free agency. Dallas hasn’t signed an external free agent over $6 million per year since Greg Hardy, so it stands to reason that Dallas could lose a bidding war to the following teams.
Other Fits
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks traded D.K. Metcalf because they believed they already had a star WR1 in 2023 first-round pick Jaxson Smith-Njigba. However, without Metcalf and the released Tyler Lockett, this team needs another reliable set of hands. Sam Darnold performed admirably during his lone season with the Minnesota Vikings, but that success came in a near-perfect environment. Seattle should be familiar with Cooper Kupp thanks to their shared time in the NFC West, and the team could use a possession receiver like him to mitigate the subpar offensive line.
New Orleans Saints
Even with a new head coach, the New Orleans Saints refuse to rebuild. After restructuring several contracts and making more cuts, the team has the money to sign Cooper Kupp if they so desire. Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are a fine wide receiver duo on paper, but Olave’s extensive concussion history makes him a risky player. Kupp could bring a unique skillset to this offense and could form a Hunter Renfrow-like connection with Derek Carr.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers have an army of adequate wide receivers, but the team could use a proven veteran like Cooper Kupp. Jordan Love and company are talented enough to make the playoffs, but they must add someone else to take their team to the next level. With the rest of the hyper-competitive NFC North improving during the offseason, Green Bay must find a way to keep up with three playoff-caliber rosters.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers re-signed Mike Williams earlier in the week, but that shouldn’t be the only move they make at wide receiver. Perhaps Williams can turn back the clock in his old home, but the former first-round pick looked washed up during the 2024 campaign. Quarterback Justin Herbert is great, but he’ll need more support to hold his own against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Cooper Kupp is somewhat redundant with second-round pick Ladd McConkey, but a good offensive coordinator will find a way to get the most out of both players.
