rewrite this content and keep HTML tags
Cooper Kupp and the Seattle Seahawks have agreed on a three-year, $45m contract, according to multiple reports.
Kupp, the Super Bowl 56 MVP, was released by the Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday. He will help replace DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett for Seattle, who traded quarterback Geno Smith and signed Sam Darnold in free agency.
Kupp is returning to his home state: he starred in college at Eastern Washington and is from Yakima, Washington. He was the AP Offensive Player of the Year in 2021 when he won the receiving triple crown by catching 145 passes for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns. Kupp added 33 catches for 478 yards and six TDs in the postseason for the Rams, including the winning touchdown in their Super Bowl win over Cincinnati.
Kupp was plagued by injuries the past three seasons and didn’t have 900 yards receiving during that span. He had a rough finish last season, during which he missed four games early with an ankle injury. Kupp had just 12 catches for 162 yards in the final five games of the regular season during the least productive stretch of his career. His role was also diminished with the Rams as Puka Nacua emerged as an elite NFL receiver the past two seasons.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles have added Davante Adams this offseason, signing the three-time All-Pro wide receiver to a two-year deal that could be worth up to $46m.
Kupp was drafted by the Rams in the third round in 2017 in coach Sean McVay’s first draft class. He had been a centerpiece of the offense throughout his career, catching 634 passes for 7,776 yards and 57 touchdowns.
Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Chargers have beefed up their offensive line by signing guard Mekhi Becton. The 6ft 7in, 363lbs Becton started 19 games at right guard last season for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, helping pave the way for running back Saquon Barkley to rush for 2,504 yards and 13 touchdowns. Becton was the No 11 pick in the 2020 draft by the New York Jets out of Louisville. The Chargers also agreed to terms with linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips. The 28-year-old played for Houston last season on a one-year deal. Phillips has appeared in 72 career games with the Texans, Baltimore, New York Jets and Buffalo.
