Veteran receiver Cooper Kupp joined the Seattle Seahawks this offseason after spending his first eight years with the Los Angeles Rams. Kupp wasn’t the only new addition to Seattle’s offense, as the team signed Sam Darnold to a big deal in free agency.
Kupp recently appeared on “Good Morning Football” and discussed how excited he is to play with Darnold and fellow receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Cooper Kupp Excited About Seahawks Offensive Weapons Under Sam Darnold
The former Ram signed a three-year, $45 million contract with Seattle this offseason and joins the Seahawks while the team begins a new era. The team traded away Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders and DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and fired offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb after one season.
Kupp has needed time to adjust to his new surroundings, but he’s excited to play with Seattle’s new quarterback, Sam Darnold. The quarterback signed a three-year, $100.5 million deal with the Seahawks after a career year with the Minnesota Vikings.
Kupp spoke about Darnold and how Seattle has put a lot of good pieces around him.
“I’ve been watching Sam [Darnold] for a long time. He’s always been an incredible thrower of the football … There’s no question he can spin the football.”
Kupp discussed Darnold’s early career struggles before mentioning the quarterback’s resurgence over the last couple of seasons.
“Over the last couple of years, some of the stuff he did in San Francisco … obviously, in Minnesota. When you have pieces around him, guys that can make plays … When you have things like that in place, you see the success that he can have. I’m really excited about being out there with Sam.”
“He’s always been an incredible thrower of the football”@CooperKupp on his new @Seahawks quarterback😏 pic.twitter.com/vnGvIH9Ur6
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) June 23, 2025
Darnold comes to Seattle after throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns with Minnesota last year. His season ended with a poor playoff performance in the Wild Card round, but Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record and made the Pro Bowl for the first time.
Kupp Sees Similarities Between Smith-Njigba and Puka Nacua
The praise and excitement didn’t stop there for Kupp, as he was then asked about his new receiving mate.
“The first thing that struck me was he plays a lot stronger than people know,” Kupp said. “His decisiveness. His belief in himself and what he can do. Incredibly competitive.”
He described how Smith-Njigba can adjust his routes if his first move doesn’t work, as well as his competitiveness. Kupp then threw a lot of praise on his new teammate, saying, “It’s similar to what Puka [Nacua] was like coming in. The competitiveness and the play strength they’re both very similar. I’m really excited about being out there with Jaxson. He’s an awesome dude. Wants to get better. Asks all the right questions.”
.@jaxon_smith1 reminds @CooperKupp of another wide receiver he used to line up with👀 pic.twitter.com/gW7B4a00ah
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) June 23, 2025
Smith-Njigba also made the Pro Bowl for the first time in 2024 after posting 100 receptions, 1,130 yards, and six touchdowns. He was set to be the team’s WR1 before Kupp came on, but now the two will form a formidable duo alongside new addition Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Kupp was the best receiver in the NFL in 2021, winning the Triple Crown after posting 145 catches, 1,947 yards, and 16 touchdowns. He’s had trouble staying healthy each of the three seasons since, but a change of scenery could inspire the Super Bowl 56 MVP.
The Seahawks made sweeping changes to their offense this offseason, bringing in new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak after parting ways with Ryan Grubb. Along with Kupp and Darnold, the team also released longtime receiver Tyler Lockett after 10 seasons in Seattle to create salary cap space.
2025 will be an interesting season in Seattle. With so many offensive changes, it’s tough to predict how the Seahawks will perform. Kupp and Darnold are proven players, and Smith-Njigba is one of the league’s best young receivers. As Kupp said, Seattle has a lot of good pieces, but they’ll have to prove it on the field.