Patriots lose out on free agent WR Cooper Kupp to Seahawks
Kupp, a Washington native, announced he would be returning home on Friday.
The Patriots swung and missed on another top-tier free agent wide receiver.
Cooper Kupp announced on social media that he signed with the Seattle Seahawks on Friday. A Washington native, he returns home after being released by his longtime team, the Los Angeles Rams, earlier this week.
New England was reportedly in the market for Kupp after missing out on signing other big-name receivers such as Chris Godwin, Tee Higgins, and DK Metcalf.
Kupp and the Seahawks agreed to a three-year, $15 million contract, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
The Athletic’s Jeff Howe reported on Friday morning that Kupp’s asking price was “as high as $15.” That number was reportedly too high for the Patriots, who were deemed to no longer be “in the Cooper Kupp market,” per Dianna Russini.
Before that news arose, according to the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan, Kupp was similarly interested in potentially joining the Patriots. Callahan reported earlier this week that Kupp was “curious” about playing in New England and teaming up with former teammate WR Kendrick Bourne.
In the end, it appears Kupp accepted the highest bidder’s offer and remains home on the West Coast.
The signing is a tough blow for the Patriots, a team in dire need of an improved wide receiver room. Coming off a season in which tight end Hunter Henry was New England’s receiving yards leader (674) and a mere three touchdowns was the most caught by a receiver (three-way tie between WRs DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, and TE Austin Hooper), it’s evident that quarterback Drake Maye needs help in that department.
Following Kupp’s signing, the NFL’s free agent WR market is slimming. Veterans Keenan Allen, Brandin Cooks, Amari Cooper, and Stefon Diggs are still out there. Brandon Aiyuk and Jakobi Meyers are possible trade options. But is that the route the Patriots want to take?
The NFL Draft next month is a way to improve at WR, but probably not immediately. Names such as Travis Hunter and Tet McMillan could be options for New England, but it’s hard to tell what position they will take if they stay at No. 4.
Even if they do select a receiver high in the Draft, there’s no guarantee the player will be ready to start come September, let alone become Maye’s No. 1 target and take over games.
Regardless, the Patriots have to revamp their WR corps this offseason if they want to compete and help Maye during his sophomore season.
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