Indeed, Vikings Could Be in Sweepstakes for Big Name WR.
On Monday, long-time Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp notified the world that his team would trade him after eight faithful seasons, an Offensive Player of the Year Award, a Super Bowl trophy, and a Super Bowl MVP in Tinseltown.
Indeed, Vikings Could Be in Sweepstakes for Big Name WR.
Immediately, because of Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell’s ties to the Rams and Kupp, the purple team became a logical destination for Kupp’s services in 2025 and beyond.
And as it turns out, that idea is not out of left field, according to KSTP’s Darren Wolfson. “It’s not just KOC, there are other people in Eagan who think the world of Cooper Kupp,” Wolfson said on SKOR North airwaves this week.
The Vikings don’t have too many tradeable draft assets in 2025, but theoretically, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could dip into the 2026 reserve if Kupp became a viable trade target.
“I think the Rams would have to cut him, or eat a ton of money, the Vikings are not absorbing a big Cooper Kupp number,” Wolfson added about the feasibility of Kupp joining the Vikings’ depth chart.
Kupp personally tweeted on Monday, “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. Still, if there’s one thing that I have learned over the years: there are so many things that are out of your control, but it is how you respond to these things that you will look back on and remember.”
The announcement arrived the same day that the Cleveland Browns’ six-time All-Pro Myles Garrett requested a trade. A busy offseason day, to be sure.
“I have taken so much pride in playing alongside my teammates for the LA community, so thank you for embracing my family and making this such a special place for us. 2024 began with one of the best training camps of my career. Preparations start now for 2025,” Kupp added. “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.”
In 2020 and 2021, O’Connell offensively coordinated Kupp and the Rams, even winning a Super Bowl in 2021, the springboard event that propelled O’Connell to Minnesota. Kupp won the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year Award with O’Connell in charge during the 2021 campaign.
So, while it’s unclear if Minnesota wishes to upgrade the WR3 spot — Jalen Nailor currently owns the title — Kupp more than has the connection to the Vikings through O’Connell, assuming the franchise wants to bolster the wide receiver room.
Kupp, at age 32 next season, would represent a serious upgrade. The ties to O’Connell obviously do not hurt the Kupp-to-Vikings theory.
Minnesota’s 2025 WR room could look something like this:
- Justin Jefferson
- Jordan Addison
- Cooper Kupp
- Jalen Nailor
- Brandon Powell
It’s also worth noting that Jordan Addison could miss the start of the 2025 season due to a three-game suspension if the NFL puts him on the shelf for a July 2024 alleged DUI. That legal process will play out this offseason.
So, with the ties to O’Connell, the trade situation, and now Wolfson’s “the Vikings like Kupp” commentary, adding the veteran this offseason via trade or outright signing isn’t that far-fetched.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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