NFL rumors: Broncos among potential Cooper Kupp suitors
Are the Broncos looking like the favorite to land Cooper Kupp?
Cooper Kupp is heading to the late portion of NFL free agency as the best wide receiver available. The Los Angeles Rams pulled the stunning decision to release their Super Bowl LVI Most Valuable Player Kupp. Now the Denver Broncos look like a potential destination, per one insider.
Kupp’s name is “firmly in the mix” for the AFC North franchise, according to Fox NFL insider Jordan Schultz Thursday.
“As Cooper Kupp evaluates his options, sources say he will get the number he wants, despite a slow receiver market,” Schultz posted on X. “The Broncos are firmly in the mix.”
However, Denver isn’t the only one attached to Kupp’s name. Schultz adds “at least four other teams” are eyeing Kupp.
Are Broncos top fit for Cooper Kupp?
Kupp’s entire list of suitors haven’t surfaced publicly. But Denver brings forth lots of intrigue for the veteran wideout.
The Broncos have a new young quarterback to build around in Bo Nix. The 2024 first rounder snapped Denver’s playoff dry spell by leading the franchise back to the postseason — a first since the Broncos’ 2015 Super Bowl winning season.
There’s more than can potentially attract Kupp in the Rocky Mountains. Head coach Sean Payton is a distinguished offensive coach with a strong background in delivering stout wideout production. Courtland Sutton became an 80-catch, 1,000-yard WR this past season under Payton. Former New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas is a past dominating league leader under Payton — who delivered two seasons of surpassing 125 receptions under the head coach.
Denver needs a reliable extra target for Nix, though. Marvin Mims and Devaughn Vele never surpassed 42 receptions playing next to Sutton. Kupp can become an instant veteran boost if brought over.
While Denver is a contender, one AFC South team featuring a Kupp connection isn’t. Schultz revealed the Jacksonville Jaguars “is not in” on pursuing the wideout. The Jags are led by Kupp’s former Rams offensive coordinator Liam Coen. The Dallas Cowboys are another that isn’t a fit for Kupp, with NFL Network Cowboys insider Jane Slater addressing that rumor Wednesday.
Broncos bolster defense by signing star linebacker to $35M deal
The Broncos just made a good defense better.
The signing of Greenlaw marks the second player the Broncos have swiped away from the San Francisco 49ers, as earlier in the day they signed safety Talanoa Hufanga.
Broncos bolster defense by signing Dre Greenlaw
Greenlaw brings a solid resume to Denver despite recent injury concerns. The 27-year-old linebacker has been a key part of San Francisco’s defense since entering the league as a fifth-round pick from Arkansas in 2019. During his six-year career with the 49ers, Greenlaw accumulated 455 tackles, 14 pass breakups, 3.5 sacks, and three interceptions across 64 games. His best statistical season came in 2022 when he recorded a career-high 127 combined tackles while starting all 17 games.
Known for his hard-hitting, he also brings some serious physicality to the middle of the Broncos’ defense. The acquisition of Greenlaw addresses a critical need in the linebacker corps following Cody Barton’s departure in free agency. Denver’s linebacker room now features Greenlaw alongside Alex Singleton, Drew Sanders, Levelle Bailey, and K.J. Cloyd. Singleton, who led the team with 136 tackles in 2023, is recovering from a torn ACL suffered late last season.
