Whoever wants to sign veteran WR Cooper Kupp might have to open their wallets more than they expected. According to the Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi, Kupp’s asking price is “insane” relative to his level of play, a 32-year-old receiver who had no trade market and has struggled to stay healthy.
Giardi also notes Kupp’s “preference” is to play on the West Coast, though he’s keeping all options up.
If both are true, it greatly reduces already low odds of Pittsburgh making a run at him. After agreeing to a $150 million contract as part of the DK Metcalf trade, the Steelers aren’t likely to spend good money on a second veteran wide receiver.
“Insane” money is a subjective term. What’s high for one player might not be for another. The Athletic’s Jeff Howe believes the number Kupp will get sits around $12 million per year, implying his ask is higher than that.
Regarding WR Cooper Kupp's market, I've heard from a handful of teams that believe someone will be willing to offer him around $12M per year. That'll be too much for some teams that aren't in on him. But like anything in free agency, it's fluid, and we'll see if that number…
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 13, 2025
Perhaps he’s looking for something closer to the $20 million he was set to make had the Rams kept him. But they found that price untenable, cutting him this week after failing to find a trade partner in a market that greeted the team with crickets.
Multiple reports indicate Kupp has a robust market. Presumably, from the New England Patriots who missed out on WR Chris Godwin and other top names. That’s ostensibly why Giardi is the source of his report, an ear close to what the dried-up receiver landscape still has to offer. But until Kupp lowers his price tag, it may prove difficult for him to sign.
The Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, and Jacksonville Jaguars have all been connected to Kupp. Pittsburgh hasn’t had much reporting since the news of his pending trade/release was announced by Kupp himself last month. With Metcalf, Pickens, Calvin Austin III, and a healthy Calvin Austin III in a run-heavy offense, paying Kupp even a “reasonable” $12 million per year is doubtful to return on investment. It should close the book on lingering speculation that Kupp could join the Steelers’ wide receiver room though his new destination is unknown. As is his price.
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