The Seattle Seahawks made two high-profile offseason signings, adding edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence and wide receiver Cooper Kupp to fill key roster gaps. Both veterans are expected to start for the team in 2025.
Despite their decorated careers, which include a Super Bowl title and a receiving Triple Crown for Kupp in 2021, both players are over 30, raising questions about their future productivity. Citing these concerns, MSN writer Seth Trachtman recently included Lawrence and Kupp on a list of 26 NFL veterans he predicts will decline in the upcoming season.
Trachtman pointed to Kupp’s recent injury history as a primary cause for concern. “The Rams moved on from Kupp after another injury-plagued season, as he appeared in only 12 games with 710 yards and six scores,” he wrote. “His 10.6 yards per catch are indicative of a wideout in decline.”
However, while injuries have limited Kupp to a combined 33 games from 2022-24, his performance when on the field suggests he remains effective. In each of those seasons, he was on pace to surpass 1,000 receiving yards. The Seahawks hope that a supporting cast of productive pass-catchers will help manage his workload and keep him healthy.
For Lawrence, Trachtman’s projection is tied to age and his departure from Dallas after 11 seasons. “He made the Pro Bowl in 2022-2023, but it remains to be seen what Seattle can expect at age 33,” Trachtman noted, referencing the injury that cut his 2024 season short.
Before that injury, Lawrence demonstrated he could still be a disruptive force, recording 14 tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks in just four games. With significant depth along their defensive front, the Seahawks may be able to strategically limit his snaps to maximize his impact and preserve his health throughout the 2025 season.
Source link
