When Cooper Kupp signed with the Seahawks this spring, it was something of a homecoming for the Yakima native who played at Eastern Washington University.

And now, with the Seahawks facing the Rams in Los Angeles, Kupp will be returning to another of his longtime homes. A third-round pick in 2017, Kupp spent eight seasons with the Rams, including a 2021 season that was one of the best in league history for a receiver, with Kupp leading the NFL with 145 catches, 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns on his way to first-team All-Pro and AP Offensive Player of the Year honors. Kupp capped that historic season by winning Super Bowl MVP honors as the Rams beat the Bengal in Super Bowl LVI.

So of course, Kupp has fond memories of his time in L.A., and he built strong bonds with the city, the team's fans and with players, coaches and other members of the organization that he will see on Sunday.

But Kupp also knows he has a job to do on Sunday that has nothing to do with taking a trip down memory lane, or with seeking payback against the team that released him this offseason in a salary-cap related move. Kupp's Seahawks are 7-2, as are the Rams, meaning the focus this week, like every other, has to be on preparing for the task at hand and nothing else.

"It's another football game," Kupp said. "You get out there, play your game. I love these guys, I love so many of the guys over there, but at the end of the day, you've to go play a football game, so that's going to be what it is. Try to treat this the same as any other game, go out there and lock in and do your job one play after the next. Take that play-by-play mindset, same as usual."

Kupp's just-another-game isn't meant to minimize the importance of his time with the Rams; he just knows that if he lets nostalgia get the better of him during the week or on Sunday, he won't be able to help his current team to the best of his abilities.

"I'm so thankful for my time there, incredible experience, built so much with the fans, with the guys I was able to play with, and just great experiences," Kupp said. "Nothing but love for that city, but you've got to be able to lock in for the game and what's ahead of you. It'll be fun. I'm excited to get out there. It's a really good football team, they present some great challenges for us, and I'm excited to go out there and compete.

"You can't make this game about yourself. It doesn't work that way. It's too much of a team game. There are too many guys on the field doing too many things and working at such a high level. It's just about controlling what you can control, being a positive part of whatever is called and executing at a high level and coming back and doing it over and over again. It would just be a shame to say that I want this game more than any other game. That's doing a disservice to the guys that sit in this room with me that would hold back anything from them because of my own ambitions, wants or desires. I'm coming in here every week and giving my all in my preparation toward what I'm doing. When I step on the field, you're going to get the best that I can offer you because that's what the guys here deserve. That doesn't change based on any outstanding circumstances for myself."

Kupp's first season in Seattle has seen the veteran receiver make valuable contributions to his team, both on the field and in everything he does Monday through Saturday to help his team be better. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba putting up historic numbers, Kupp isn't getting targeted at as high of a rate as he was during his peak in L.A., but he has been very productive when targeted, catching 26 passes for 367 yards and a touchdown, with 16 of those receptions going for first downs, including several third-down conversions. Kupp, who had a 67-yard catch and run that set up a touchdown last week, has also been a valuable part of the running game as a blocker, something that has been a big part of his game throughout his career.

But what has made Kupp even more valuable to his coaches and teammates is the knowledge he brings to the game and the work ethic he demonstrates daily. Kupp's production alone would be a valuable addition to the team; what he is doing off the field makes him a home run of an addition.

"It's another example that you can show to the team, like, 'Look, this is how you do it,'" Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. "As a team, as a player, as a person, I can't say enough great things about Coop. We love him, I'm so happy he's here. I'm happy he's a Seahawk. He's a force multiplier, I think he's made a tremendous impact on the receiving room, the offense and the team in general just in terms of our attitude and how we approach our business every day.

"I'm thinking of him, I'm thinking about Phase 2 (of the offseason workout program), the intent that we want to be able to operate with. We're trying to have great days back in the spring and stack great days, but also have a good time doing it where you're enjoying being with your teammates and you finish the day and say, 'Shoot, that was a heck of day. We got better, I got closer to my teammates, we had some fun, had a great workout, and now let's go do it again the next day.' And he's one of the top guys driving that bus."

Kupp's study habits and football intelligence has been well documented, with teammates and coaches alike speaking to his ability to make them smarter. Kupp is a regular in quarterback meetings, and even experienced coaches are learning from the veteran receiver who thrived for nearly a decade while playing for Sean McVay, one of the league's most innovative offensive coaches.

"It's not uncommon, but he has an uncommon way of going about it because we're listening," offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak said of Kupp providing input to coaches. "He's got real value and the things that he sees and hears in the game the other night, he's standing with me on the sideline, giving me great insight. He's got a Hall of Fame NFL mind; he helps us in all facets of our game."