Rams’ Cooper Kupp shares mature response on coping with reduced role
Cooper Kupp has no issue with his reduced production since the Rams' Super Bowl-winning season.
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Cooper Kupp (Image via IMAGO)
Cooper Kupp had the best season of his career in 2021, with 1,937 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns, he had a season to remember. However, in subsequent seasons, Kupp has struggled to stay healthy and even when available, his production has not been on par with the 2021 season.
This has largely been due to the arrival of Puka Nacua. Since his arrival, the pressure is no longer solely on Cooper Kupp, and while star wide receivers loathe becoming the second option but not the Rams’ star.
In his recent interview, Kupp was asked about this decline in his numbers after winning the Super Bowl MVP.
You pray a lot. You do a lot of prayer and meditation. It’s football in some respects… I’ve gone through similar things like this before. Back in 2019, I think I finished the last half of that season probably averaging less than 50 yards a game or something like that…I just want to be playing good football. 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. That’s all that I can control.
Cooper Kupp said
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: #Rams WR Cooper Kupp says he uses prayer as a way to cope with his reduced role in the team’s offense, he told reporters.
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) January 18, 2025
“You pray a lot. You do a lot of prayer and meditation. It’s football in some respects. Statistically speaking, I’ve gone through similar… pic.twitter.com/EdXrPDt6vi
To him, team success is all that matters and his priority is to do what is asked of him. If that leads to him surpassing 1,000 or more yards regularly, then good but if he falls short, it is not a thought that keeps him up at night.
Cooper Kupp’s philosophy is believing that things come back full circle eventually
His mindset is laudable and a breath of fresh air. In the NFL, star wide receivers often come with an ego, while that is not a bad thing by itself, it tends to get bad when their ego comes in the way of the team’s success. Antonio Brown and Tyreek Hill are examples of receivers who left their teams when they were no longer the go-to option.
However, Cooper Kupp is in a class by himself. The wide receiver gave a humble response while discussing his philosophy.
Whatever they ask me to do, I’m going to continue to do that. I do believe that if you do things the right way for long enough, eventually things will come back full circle. I’m going to take that mentality, keep praying and these things will work out.
Cooper Kupp said
Cooper Kupp and the Rams will hope to make yet another Super Bowl run this season. The wideout is likely playing his last season with the team as he is expected to make $20 million this year and after his current deal expires, it is doubtful that the team will want to offer him more money since Puka Nacua has become the frontman of this offense.
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Sumedh Joshi
(2246 Articles Published)