Rams Cooper Kupp Super Bowl Winning Catch Still Provides Excitement, Optimism

As the sun sets on their Super Bowl championship reign, the Rams remain hopeful that Kupp’s return sparks a resurgence in 2023.

The Los Angeles Rams are enjoying their proverbial ‘last day of sunshine’ in their final moments as reigning Super Bowl Champions.

With either the Kansas City Chiefs or Philadelphia Eagles set to claim the NFL’s crown with a victory in Super Bowl LVII on Sunday, the Rams are eying a return to prominence in 2023. 

Having suffered an inordinate number of injuries to several key players, Los Angeles‘ would-be title defense was essentially stifled. At various points throughout the year, starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, running back Cam Akers, wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Allen Robinson and defensive linemen Aaron Donald and A’Shawn Robinson all missed time due to injury. In fact, Stafford, Kupp, and both Robinsons ended the campaign on injured reserve.

Still, the Rams are hopeful for a fruitful return for many of the players on their extensive list of walking wounded — one of which was last season’s Super Bowl hero. 

In Super Bowl LVI, Kupp was invaluable to the Rams’ success against the Cincinnati Bengals. In addition to scoring his first career Super Bowl touchdown, his seven-yard run on a critical 4th-and-1 during the team’s fourth-quarter comeback helped pave the way for his game-winning touchdown connection with quarterback Matthew Stafford. 

Unsurprisingly, Kupp was named Super Bowl MVP.

Kupp’s accomplishments speak for themselves. In 2021, the Eastern Washington product set numerous franchise single-season receiving records. For his efforts, he was rewarded with both Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro honors. Kupp was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for both September and October.

Having become the fourth wideout since 1990 to win the ‘triple crown’ (leading all wide receivers in receptions, yards, and touchdowns), Kupp signed a three-year, $80 million contract extension to ensure his remaining with the Rams for the foreseeable future. 

Unfortunately, Kupp did not enjoy the same success in 2022. The Rams wideout suffered a high ankle sprain during a Week 10 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals which required surgery. As Los Angeles continued to plummet in the standings, Kupp was shut down for the remainder if the year, having caught 75 passes for 812 yards and six touchdowns. 

With news that his rehab from ankle surgery is going well, Kupp should be poised for a big year under new offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, formerly of the New York Jets. 

During his tenure in New York, as well as his time as an assistant to Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco. LaFleur ran a balanced offense, which he is all but certain to do in Los Angeles. That not only means incorporating greater use of the run to facilitate play action but proportionately mixing in passing plays, as well. 

As a disciple of San Francisco’s offensive philosophy, LaFleur will undoubtedly look to incorporate a greater emphasis on using the running game as a strong complement to the passing game. In fact, he is at his best when utilizing 12-personnel packages (one running back, two tight ends, and two receivers and empty backfield formations on third down.

In essence, LaFleur’s hiring seems to signal a ‘back to basics' approach for the Rams’ offense, which will likely focus on their efforts on distributing the football to their receivers — with Kupp expected to be atop that list. 

While Super Bowl Sunday may be a good time to reminisce on Kupp’s championship-clinching performance just one year ago, it is also the beginning of a look ahead to what Rams fans hope is a resurgence in the upcoming year. 

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Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL.

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