The Detroit Lions may be looking for a wide receiver this offseason, as the team lacked consistent receiving options beyond Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams in 2024.
Detroit’s WR3 this season was Tim Patrick, who recorded 33 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns. With Patrick set to become an unrestricted free agent, even if the Lions re-sign the former Denver Bronco, general manager Brad Holmes should still aim to strengthen the receiving corps.
While the Lions could target another playmaker early in April’s draft, TWSN’s Marissa Myers forecasts that the team will sign wide receiver Cooper Kupp after the Los Angeles Rams release him.
Kupp, who will turn 32 in June, is coming off another injury-plagued season, averaging just 59.2 receiving yards per game, his lowest since 2017, totaling 710 yards. Due to Kupp’s contract, it would be tough for any team to trade for him, but if he’s released, Detroit could be a natural landing spot.
With Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams already in place, adding Kupp would provide Jared Goff with a third reliable option for crucial moments. For Kupp, Detroit offers the best opportunity to close out his career with a strong team and potentially another Super Bowl ring.
Kupp has struggled with injuries since his historic 2021 season, where he won the Triple Crown and was named Super Bowl MVP. Despite missing at least five games in each of the last three seasons, the 2017 third-round pick has remained productive, registering 67 receptions for 710 yards and six touchdowns in 2024.
After the Rams’ divisional round loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Kupp expressed his intention to play in 2025 but was uncertain about his future in Los Angeles.
“I feel like I’ve got a lot of good football left in me,” Kupp said in the Rams’ final open locker room session of the season. “I’ll be playing football next year. That much I know.”
“Who knows what’s going to happen,” Kupp added. “That’s out of my control. And we will see what it’s going to be. … I don’t have any clarity on what that’s going to look like or anything like that. So yeah, obviously would love to be in L.A., but I don’t know what that’s going to look like.”
If the Rams release Kupp this offseason, the Lions should pursue the 2021 All-Pro. At 31, Kupp likely won’t command a high salary, and Detroit is expected to have around $46 million in cap space this offseason, giving them the financial flexibility to sign Kupp while addressing other roster needs.
While Cooper Kupp may never return to his 2021 form, he remains a skilled route runner and would provide Jared Goff with a reliable third option in the Lions’ offense.
