It does not sound like a lengthy Cooper Kupp free agency tour is coming. Designated as a post-June 1 cut by the Rams on Tuesday, Kupp is free to sign anywhere now. Several teams are believed to be in on the former triple-crown winner.
Kupp has drawn interest from at least five teams, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports. That is up from three Wednesday afternoon, though many teams were likely to look into the former Super Bowl MVP. The Patriots are believed to be one of the receiver’s suitors. The Pats are interested in Kupp and have reached out, according to Masslive.com’s Karen Guregian and the Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi.
Not viewed as likely to take his time in signing elsewhere, Kupp is also being linked to two AFC South teams. The Jaguars and Texans have come up as possibilities, Ian Rapoport said during an NFL Network appearance (via the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta) while also mentioning the Seahawks. Kupp is a Yakima, Wash., native, and Seattle suddenly has a need for a starter-caliber wideout — perhaps two — after moving on from its long-running Tyler Lockett- D.K. Metcalf duo.
A deal that averages around $12MM per year has come up for Kupp, per The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, who adds some teams will be pushed out of this market at that price. But a belief exists the two-time 1,000-yard receiver can command that. Davante Adams, who has been a better (and healthier) receiver, just fetched a $23MM-per-year deal that came with $20MM guaranteed. Darius Slayton also just signed for $12MM per. Not nearly as accomplished as Kupp, Slayton is nearly four years younger and does not have an extensive injury history.
The Patriots lost the Calvin Ridley sweepstakes last year and then saw their Brandon Aiyuk push — one that included the top AAV offer mentioned ($32MM) during that saga — fail to move them into even runner-up position. The Bengals took Tee Higgins off this year’s market, and they are setting a high trade price for a potential tag-and-trade transaction. Kupp was available via trade, and considering the Patriots’ cap space and issues attracting receivers in recent years, it would have made sense for the team to explore it. But no club wanted to take on Kupp’s Rams deal, which came with guaranteed salary and a $7.5MM roster bonus. Even though the Rams were willing to eat salary to facilitate a swap, they resorted to cutting him before the bonus came due.
Patriots target Chris Godwin re-signed with the Buccaneers minutes into the legal tampering period, further thinning options for a team that needs weaponry to boost **Drake Maye**‘s development. A host of older options are available, however, as Stefon Diggs, Amari Cooper and Keenan Allen join Kupp as accomplished free agent 30-somethings.
More to come.