Cooper Kupp played a key role in the Los Angeles Rams’ Super Bowl win to close the 2021 season, with his game-winning touchdown catch standing out.
However, Kupp’s performance this season hasn’t been at the same level as his previous year, when he led the league in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches. His production in the push for the playoffs has been much lower, and this trend continued with a single catch in the Rams’ wild-card victory over Minnesota last Monday.
Despite the dip in his numbers, the Rams are confident that Kupp can still be a major contributor when needed, including in their upcoming divisional round matchup against Philadelphia on Sunday.
“He’s very much involved in this offense, even if the stats sheet doesn’t show it right now,” said offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. “But any moment, Cooper’s still Cooper, and he’s a huge part of what we’re trying to get done.”
Kupp caught just one pass in the wild-card game—a 29-yard reception on the Rams’ first drive of the third quarter, helping to set up a field goal that pushed the Rams’ lead to 27-3. Head coach Sean McVay called only five more passing plays for the rest of the game.
A main reason for Kupp’s limited involvement in recent weeks has been fewer opportunities. The Rams have focused more on running back Kyren Williams and their strong defense as they closed out the regular season.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford didn’t throw for more than 189 yards in the final three games to secure the NFC West title, with Kupp managing just four catches for 53 yards on nine targets in those contests.
Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson explained, “I think we just doing whatever it takes to win at this moment. I’m sure we probably could get him the ball more or whatever it is. … Like, I’ll be wanting the ball more, but it ain’t nothing to, like, argue about. We still winning.”
LaFleur also noted that there were situations where plays intended for Kupp couldn’t happen due to factors like defensive coverage or pressure on Stafford.
“I think it’s more of an anomaly right now,” LaFleur said. “Honestly, there’s opportunities where we tried to get him the ball, and for one thing or another, not getting into too many specifics, it just hasn’t worked out. And then there’s other times where the coverage just hadn’t dictated it.”
Kupp, for his part, is staying positive about the situation.
“That’s football, and I’m on a really long streak with some unfortunate things that happen,” Kupp said. “That’s how it goes sometimes.”
This season has been unusual for Kupp, who is in his eighth year with the Rams. He started strong, catching 14 passes for 110 yards and a touchdown in the season opener but then missed four games due to an ankle injury in September and October.
There were also trade rumors surrounding Kupp before the November 5 deadline, but he responded with some of his best performances, including 100-yard games against Seattle and New England and a 92-yard, one-touchdown game in a shootout against Buffalo.
Despite the circumstances beyond his control, Kupp is focused on doing his best to put himself in a position to make plays.
“In the same way, I just want to be playing good football,” Kupp said. “I want to go watch the tape and see that I’m doing things the right way, separating, competing for my teammates, blocking and doing my assignments. I am, and that’s all I can do.”
This attitude has earned respect from the Rams’ younger wide receivers.
“He’s just very intentional,” rookie Jordan Whittington said. “You can just see with every step, every step means something.”
If things go right, the Eagles (15-3) could see Kupp making a big impact again.
Stafford recalled a play from the Rams’ 37-20 loss to Philadelphia in Week 12, where Kupp was open but Stafford was hit before he could throw the ball to him. Kupp finished that game with eight catches for 60 yards and a touchdown.
“He’s like, ‘It’s kind of been the way it’s gone,’” Stafford said. “Sometimes those things happen, and he’s an unbelievable teammate, a guy that sacrifices for our team in so many different ways.”
Stafford added, “Anything we can do to get him the ball, that’s great. If you talk to him, he’s just such a great team guy. He’s all about us winning and doing whatever he can to help us win.”
