Do the Vikings Make Sense as a Landing Spot for Cooper Kupp?

Cooper Kupp : Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs last month, a disappointing end to an otherwise successful 2024 season. But while the Rams season did last a bit longer than the Vikings… it didn’t make it past the divisional round, when they lost in a nailbiter to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Los Angeles Rams are trading WR Cooper Kupp

Thus, LA is looking to the future, just like Minnesota is. And on Monday, news broke that the Rams have made the difficult decision to place Cooper Kupp on the trade block, to be traded immediately. The star wide receiver broke the news himself, via social media, making it clear that this was not his decision.

I was informed that the team will be seeking a trade immediately and will be working with me and my family to find the right place to continue competing for championships. I don’t agree with the decision and always believed it was going to begin and end in LA.

2024 began with one of the best training camps of my career. Preparations start now for 2025. Highly motivated, as healthy as ever, and looking forward to playing elite football for years to come. Love you guys..

But coming for it all.

Part of Cooper Kupp’s statement (via X)

So, 31-year-old wide receiver Cooper Kupp is going to get traded by the LA Rams. What does that have to do with the Minnesota Vikings? Well, it’s very possible it means nothing. The Vikings are looking very secure at wide receiver for the next couple of years, after Justin Jefferson signed a massive contract extension last offseason.

Could Kupp land with the Minnesota Vikings?

But… Kupp ultimately landing with the Minnesota Vikings may be less of a stretch than it seems, at first glance. Remember, he and Kevin O’Connell have a very successful past together. Back when Cooper Kupp went full Superman during the 2021 season — 145 receptions, 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns (see below) — his offensive coordinator was none other than KOC, now head coach for the purple.

Related: Vikings are “Really Happy with JJ McCarthy” According to New Report

The Rams are likely to seek a day two or three draft pick, in return for Kupp. That seems like a very reasonable price, until you look at his salary, which has him due to make $20 million in cash next season, while counting $30 million against the salary cap. Will the Rams find a suitor, given the financial burden Kupp’s contract has become?

NFL insider Kevin Seifert isn’t so sure. And if LA can’t find a partner for Kupp, well… that would open more avenues to a Kupp + O’Connell reunion.

Facts:

I don’t know anything about anything.

WR is hardly a need for the Vikings.

They really can’t part with more draft picks.

Often these situations lead to a release.

There are a lot of Cooper Kupp fans on the Minnesota coaching staff.

Kevin Seifert (Tweet above)

Not only that, but it’s also important to look beyond the immediate future when addressing any position on an NFL roster. Jordan Addison is going into his third NFL season. Not only has he caused the Vikings organization some headaches off the field, since being drafted out of USC in 2023, but Addison is also going to demand a massive payday in the next offseason or two.

MN Vikings landing Cooper Kupp isn’t impossible…

Unfortunately for Jordan, Minnesota is already paying Justin Jefferson more than any other non-QB in the league. Thus, they aren’t going to pay him too. So while wide receiver may not be an immediate need, it certainly isn’t a position that the Vikings want to ignore. Again, wide receiver is not a need for the MN Vikings, and they do not want to put too many financial eggs into that basket, even if it’s only short term.

Related: Pro Bowl Recap: Vikings CB Named MVP, Darnold Connects with Jefferson for One More TD…

But if general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can find a way to get Cooper Kupp on the roster, without breaking the bank, there’s no doubt he would be exactly what the Vikings WR corp is missing.That’s a slot-heavy veteran WR3 who can make defenses pay for coving Justin Jefferson too tightly or shading too much underneath coverage toward TJ Hockenson.

Mentioned in this article:

More About: