Cooper Kupp’s return to SoFi Stadium wasn’t just another blip on the schedule. When the Seattle Seahawks squared off against the Los Angeles Rams, Kupp showed his old team exactly what they’d lost, delivering in the clutch.
The veteran receiver spent eight years carving out a legacy in LA, even snagging a Super Bowl MVP. He looked like he still had plenty of juice left.
The Rams’ move to cut ties with Kupp last offseason made plenty of folks around the league do a double-take. After nearly a decade of loyalty, LA watched him sign with a division rival and instantly become a key piece in Seattle’s offense.
Everyone saw the revenge-game angle coming from a mile away, even if he tried to brush it off in interviews.
His Dramatic Return Against the Los Angeles Rams
He’s homecoming in the NFC Championship game? Pure drama. He scored the go-ahead touchdown that launched the Seahawks into the Super Bowl and slammed the door on the Rams’ season.
The Build-Up to the Revenge Game
This matchup was loaded with emotion—way more than your standard NFC West grudge match. He spent eight seasons with the Rams, peaking with his 2021 Triple Crown and that unforgettable Super Bowl MVP run.
When LA released him on March 12, 2025, citing his almost $30 million cap hit and nagging injuries, the shockwaves hit hard. The Rams had already started leaning into younger targets like Puka Nacua and newly-signed Davante Adams.
He suddenly had no clear spot, despite his massive impact on the franchise. He left as third all-time in team history for receptions and touchdowns—634 and 57, if you’re counting.
Seattle wasted no time, handing him a three-year, $45 million deal with a hefty $17.5 million signing bonus. Team options for 2026 and 2027 gave the Seahawks some wiggle room. Facing the Rams for his first playoff meeting with Seattle? The stakes couldn’t have been higher.
Decisive Touchdown That Sealed the Win
This young man showed up when it counted, hauling in the game-winner that made all the difference. The play felt like déjà vu—just like his Super Bowl LVI heroics, but this time, he broke Rams fans’ hearts instead of making their dreams come true.
Seattle got exactly what they wanted: a veteran who knows how to shine when the lights are brightest. His 2021 numbers were insane—145 catches, 1,947 yards—but even if he didn’t hit those heights again, he kept coming through in the clutch.
Karma for the Rams: Letting Go of a Franchise Star
The Rams’ gamble on youth and cap space blew up in their faces. They let Kupp go to save $15 million, calling it a post-June 1 release for the books. GM Les Snead said Kupp’s “current phase of his career” just didn’t fit the plan anymore.
That logic stung as Kupp’s touchdown ended their season, one step from the Super Bowl. The guy who once hoisted the Lombardi at SoFi now sent them packing. Matthew Stafford and the rest of the Rams could only watch as their old teammate marched on.
Why Cooper Kupp Was Released and What Followed
The Rams cut Cooper Kupp on March 12, 2025, after they couldn’t find anyone willing to take on his massive contract. Cap headaches and a youth movement pushed Kupp out—and straight into Seattle’s arms.
Contract Details and Cap Space Challenges
Kupp’s contract had become a nightmare for the Rams’ accountants. He was due $20 million, with cap hits of nearly $30 million in 2025 and $27.3 million in 2026.
LA tried to trade him, but nobody wanted to eat that salary. So, they made him a post-June 1 cut, saving $15 million, but still taking on dead cap hits of $14.78 million in 2025 and $7.48 million in 2026.
Kupp himself broke the news on social media in early February, admitting he didn’t love the decision and always thought he’d finish his career in LA.
Rise of Puka Nacua and Signing of Davante Adams
The Rams’ receiver room got a facelift. Third-year breakout Puka Nacua became the go-to guy, showing off the speed and hands they needed.
Then came veteran Davante Adams, who brought experience and production to pair with Nacua. That duo gave the Rams enough confidence to move on from Kupp.
It wasn’t just about stats. Kupp’s injuries—17 missed games in three years after his historic 2021—made the decision easier. The Rams wanted younger, healthier options for their next chapter.
Life with the Seahawks: A New Chapter
Kupp signed with the Seattle Seahawks after hitting free agency. Instantly, the move made him a central figure in a juicy rivalry—he’d face his old team twice a year in the NFC West.
His arrival in Seattle? Yeah, that made waves. Kupp helped push the Seahawks all the way to the NFC Championship Game against the Rams.
And today, he punched in the deciding touchdown. Not bad for a guy who already snagged Super Bowl LVI MVP honors, right?
At 32, Kupp found a new spark with the Seahawks. Seattle didn’t even have to cough up any draft picks to get him, which, let’s be honest, is a steal for a team that wants to win right now.
