The Green Bay Packers was reportedly interested in wide receiver Cooper Kupp. But the signing has become less and less likely. Since Thursday afternoon and into Friday morning, there are multiple reports indicating Kupp's asking price, and that's completely out of the Packers' realistic range.
The Athletic's NFL National Insider Jeff Howe mentions that Kupp wants $15 million per year, much more than his projected market value.
The Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, and Tennessee Titans have all been mentioned as potential landing spots. Dianna Russini reported that the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, and Houston Texans are currently not interested. Ultimately, it seems like it's more about money than it is about the situation.
And that makes things hard for the Packers. Right now, the team has $31.868 million in cap space, around $17 million in effective cap space to spend. Kupp could certainly fit into that reality, but he might not be worth it at this point for this price tag.
The same cap space could be utilized to sign other players or, more likely, to extend right tackle Zach Tom. More than that, the signings of Aaron Banks and Nate Hobbs in free agency limited the Packers' financial situation moving forward.
Green Bay is projected to have only $25.618 million in cap space in 2026, fifth-lowest in the entire NFL, and that's with only 29 signed players. Difficult decisions will have to be made—cutting or trading Jaire Alexander is probably one of them. But adding Cooper Kupp to these circumstances doesn't seem like a likely or smart decision.
Kupp could be a useful piece to the wide receiver room, but the cost is making it nearly impossible and certainly illogical for the Packers.
So far in his career, Cooper Kupp has earned $93.648 million. It's fair that he will want more, especially after being released from a lucrative contract with the Los Angeles Rams. After all, it's always about the money. But for the Packers, if it's all about the money, it stops making sense.
Green Bay will always be willing to spend, but it looks for a different profile. The team wants young, ascending players, with the idea of getting their most productive years. With Kupp, any signing team will probably pay for past production. For anything close to $15 million, Brian Gutekunst would never (nor should) pull the trigger.
-1740367115-q80.webp "Steelers' New Rumored Running Back Plans Will Seriously Upset Fans")
-1740705487-q80.webp "$72 Million Pro Bowler Eyeing Trade to Vikings, Insider Says")
