As the Seahawks prepared for their joint practice with the Titans last week, head coach Mike Macdonald approached veteran receiver Cooper Kupp as he went through warmups.
"We don't need to see you practice," Macdonald told Kupp in a scene captured on HBO's Hark Knocks. "You've having a (expletive) awesome camp. God forbid something happened."
A few days later, Kupp was understanding of the decision even if a part of him hated missing a chance to compete against another team.
"We're working through some stuff," Kupp said. "I understood where he's coming from and it is what it is. I trust Mike and ultimately what he's doing is looking out for his guys, for his team. There's always a part of you that wants to compete, veteran in you that wants to go out there and go in those situations. Those practices are a lot of fun."
That brief exchange in Nashville took only a few seconds, but it helped underscore several things, including the trust and respect Macdonald and Kupp have for each other, as well as Kupp's importance to the team as he prepares for his 10th season in the NFL and his second with the Seahawks.
Kupp, like the rest of Seattle's top players, hasn't taken the field for preseason games, but even a casual viewing of practice this year demonstrates that Kupp is still playing at a very high level as part of a trio of Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed and Kupp that leads the way for a deep and talented receiving corps.
A quick glance at the raw numbers (47 catches for 593 yards and two touchdowns) might suggest that Kupp fell off in his first year with the Seahawks, but when he was targeted, Kupp was playing a level similar to when he was at his best with the Rams. On those 47 catches last year, Kupp averaged 12.6 yards per reception, his highest since 2021 when he led the NFL in receiving yards, receptions and touchdowns on his way to All-Pro and Offensive Player of the Year honors, with Kupp averaging 13.4 yards per reception that season. Kupp's success rate, a Pro Football Reference stat that is based on yardage gained relative to down and distance, was 58.6 percent, his highest mark since 2022, and not far off his career best rate of 63.4 percent in that historic 2021 season. Oh, and of course there's also the not-so-insignificant fact that Kupp was the Seahawks' leading receiver in two of their three postseason victories, the divisional round win over the 49ers and the Super Bowl, and he also added a crucial touchdown in the NFC championship game win over his former team.
But what really separates Kupp, even beyond his elite on-field skillset, is what he brings to the team throughout a week outside of gamedays. To call Kupp a student of the game would be a massive understatement. He regularly sits in on quarterback meetings, challenging quarterbacks and coaches with his advanced understanding of the game. Kupp also meet with players from other position groups beyond just receivers to share his insights, and he also helps his head coach, a person who despite his own protests is frequently labeled a football genius, understand the game better.
In one scene in the first episode of Hard Knocks, Kupp and Macdonald are sitting together in the coach's office when a lightbulb goes off in Macdonald's head. The scene is edited to keep viewers from knowing what was discussed, but it's clear Macdonald solved this riddle with the help of Kupp.
"Gah, why didn't I think of that?" Macdonald said with an exasperated grin.
"Glad I could help," Kupp said while casually checking his phone.
Asked earlier in training camp what Kupp has taught him about football, Macdonald couldn't contain his praise for the veteran receiver
"A lot," Macdonald said. "Actually, I was thinking about it today. I think he's taught me more than I've taught him, which is pretty awesome. You just talk about force multipliers, not only is he a productive player on the field, high leverage moments I think that's when we saw the best version of Coop last year. I think this is the best he's looked that I've seen him since he got here. He's made a lot of great plays in camp and throughout the offseason. I'm really excited about where he's going. That really gave you a window into what he's like every day. Talk about a force multiplier, just how you're able to help all these different areas of our team. It's like, 'Dude just keep doing it.' People need it and he's able to unlock those things which I think is really, really awesome."
Macdonald was then asked what kind of coach Kupp would be if he ever went that route after he was done playing, and said, "Oh he'd be phenomenal. He'd probably have my job. He's got a job here, that's for sure. I don't even know if he's interested. He's got a lot of ball left to play, I know that."
Last season, as Smith-Njigba was on pace for much of the season to threaten Calvin Johnson's single-season receiving record, he had the luxury of leaning on Kupp for support, with Kupp being one of the rare humans on this planet who has had a season similar to the one Smith-Njigba put together last season on his way to All-Pro and Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Smith-Njigba would be a great player with or without Kupp as a teammate, but he would be the first to tell you he is better for the time they have had together with the Seahawks.
"He brings a high level of confidence and a high level of learning and understanding what we want to do and what the defense is trying to do," Smith-Njigba said. "Like I said before, it's like having an extra coach out there. Everybody trusts him. He's our leader in the receiving room and on the team. If you follow him, you're doing something right. You're good."
The way Kupp has told it in the past, his knowledge of the game and the edge he gets from that was born out of necessity. Growing up in Yakima, Washington, Kupp wasn't the biggest or fastest or most athletic kid, so he had to rely on his work ethic to get ahead. Then, as he developed more physically into a player who could thrive in college and eventually the NFL, he realized how much he enjoyed the cerebral part of the game.
"Without a doubt, that's one of the coolest parts about this game is finding ways for the team to have an edge," he said. "Finding something that comes alive in a game. It's better when it's not you bringing it alive, but when you find a way for someone else to have success and bring that edge and find success and find a way to be the team based on things that we collectively work together to solve. That is my favorite thing in the world. That's what you come in and watch the film for, that's what we communicate for, that's what makes a team that wants to collaborate together so much fun. If you came in here and had to do exactly what the coaches say with no say in terms of how it's going to get done, I don't know that I'd still be playing football in all honesty. That wouldn't be much fun for me. Being able to collaborate, being able to figure it out together and work together, having guys in our room, players that are open to asking questions and also giving suggestions, that's what makes this game so much fun."
Fortunately for the Seahawks, that problem solving element is still a big part of Kupp's football world, so he is still paying football, and doing it at a very high level. And as an added bonus for Kupp, he's doing it for a second straight season in his home state.
"It's cool," he said. "I've talked a lot about growing up a Seahawks fan and eventually learning bed time was when the game ended so I was rooting for overtime at all times, just enjoying football. It's not missed on me how cool it is to come back to the state I grew up in. I spent 18 years of my life in Yakima. Spent 23 years in the state of Washington. There's a lot of memories; there's a lot of people that came along side me that helped get me to where I am today. It's something that is not missed on to me, a very special thing."
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence (0) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Julian Neal (1) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety AJ Finley (30) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) with offensive passing game coordinator/quarterback coach Jake Peetz at practice on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Bubba Thomas (69) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle J.R. Singleton (70) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Uso Seumalo (92) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Logan Brown (73) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Deven Eastern (97) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald at practice on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Bryce Cabeldue (77) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Uso Seumalo (92) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (32) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Nick Vannett (83) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Uso Seumalo (92) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks guard Bryce Cabeldue (77) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Deven Eastern (97) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (17) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (32) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Aaron Smith (42) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks cornerback Trevon Diggs (16) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Jarran Reed (90) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Uso Seumalo (92) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Deven Eastern (97) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Deven Eastern (97) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks nose tackle Bubba Thomas (69) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
The Seahawks practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Aidan Hubbard (93) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Marvin Jones Jr. (59) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Power Echols (46) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Aaron Smith (42) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks safety AJ Finley (30) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (87) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (32) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashad Rochelle (35) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Power Echols (46) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jacardia Wright (31) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) and running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks running back Jadarian Price (8) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Julian Hicks (1) practiced on Wednesday, August 26 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
