The 2025 season kicked off with the unexpected departure of Cooper Kupp.
It concluded with jubilant celebrations and yet another Lombardi Trophy.
Last March, Kupp got a call from the Rams, which, well, shifted my view on the league a bit.
Despite being the team that drafted him and once named him Super Bowl MVP, the Rams informed Kupp he was no longer in their plans.
Trade talks fizzled out, particularly after Davante Adams arrived. Kupp was released, and the words from his camp were disregarded. It’s safe to say his wife, Anna-Marie, didn’t exactly feel like dancing during that time.
However, Kupp didn’t retaliate or plead his case. Instead, he chose to retreat to his home.
Seattle was his upbringing. As a kid, Kupp’s family would often drive two hours from Yakima to catch Seahawks and Mariners games. Who would’ve thought he was secretly holding onto dreams of playing for the Seahawks in the Super Bowl?
So, when the Seahawks reached out, it wasn’t just a trip down memory lane. It felt vital. Mike McDonald described it as finding a “force multiplier.” It’s not all about speed or age, it’s—well, it’s about impact.
In the NFC Championship game at Lumen Field, Kupp dominated against his old team, racking up six catches and a touchdown, securing Seattle’s spot in the 2026 Super Bowl.
He later took the high road, expressing his affection for his previous teammates and the strong bonds they shared. But the underlying message was unmistakable: “You got it wrong.”
Seattle understood what Los Angeles misjudged: Kupp brought more depth than just statistics. He infiltrated quarterback meetings, mentored Jackson Smith-Njigba, who won Offensive Player of the Year, and built connections with Sam Darnold and others by hosting workouts and meet-ups at his place during the offseason.
As he prepared for Sunday, he was also chasing history, hoping to become the first receiver to earn multiple Super Bowl MVPs.
While he didn’t take home that trophy, he still made his mark, leading all receivers with six catches for 61 yards.
Kupp had once thought his journey would begin and end in L.A., but as it turned out, it ended even better.
With confetti falling around him, that Seattle boy’s dream of playing in the Super Bowl became reality. Kupp stood tall with a Lombardi Trophy, won in a place where he felt completely at home. The Rams made a business choice, but Seattle made a choice for the game.
The season’s conclusion is now etched in silver and blue forever.
