FOXBOROUGH – The Patriots are in on the Cooper Kupp sweepstakes.
But at the right price.
According to a source, the Patriots are currently interested on bringing the veteran wideout aboard. However, Kupp’s asking price at the moment is a bit too steep.
It’s certainly possible another team – and there are reportedly five in the mix – will meet the former Super Bowl MVP’s contract demands. For now, the Patriots are content to see if Kupp alters his stance.
Before being released by the Los Angeles Rams Wednesday, Kupp was in the final year of a deal that had a base salary of $12.5 million along with a $7.5 million roster bonus due on March 16.
By releasing him, the Rams saved $7.5 million in 2025 but took on $22.3 million in dead money.
At age 31 – Kupp will be 32 in June – teams might not be willing to over-extend for the receiver.
The Patriots have the money and the cap space. They have the need for upgrades in the receiver room. But they might not be willing to overpay for a player who’s past his prime.
At the NFL Combine last month, a source told MassLive that the Patriots weren’t in on the Kupp trade market. Part of that reason was the contract – so it remains to be seen how far the team is willing to extend for the 2021 Offensive Player of the Year.
Although accomplished, there are injury concerns with Kupp. He hasn’t played a full season since 2021. Over the last three seasons, he’s missed 18 games due to a hamstring injury and multiple ankle injuries, all of which may be contributing to teams not yet willing to bend on a new contract.
The Patriots did sign Mack Hollins, but are looking for more firepower to put around quarterback Drake Maye.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, during a press conference Thursday to discuss his moves in free agency as well as introduce several new players, said the team wanted to be deliberate, and not act rashly in their pursuit of players.
“We don’t to be reckless through this process. We want to be very intentional with the people we bring on this football team,” he said. “And we’ll continue to target all of those needs that we feel like, and the players that can help us.”
Kupp, a 5-time team captain in LA, does have a few connections with Patriot players and members of the coaching staff.
Kendrick Bourne was former college teammate at Eastern Washington University, and he’s been lobbying for the receiver to come east.
New tight end coach Thomas Brown was a coach with the Rams from 2020 to 2022 during Kupp’s time in LA, so there are already a few familiar faces should the Patriots ultimately win the sweepstakes.
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