Cooper Kupp won’t be coming to the Broncos

Cross Cooper Kupp off the Denver Broncos’ list — if he was even on the list at all.

The former Los Angeles Rams receiver headed north on Interstate 5 to sign with the Seattle Seahawks, agreeing on a three-year deal that will “likely” bring him $15 million or more per year, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Kupp, who has missed 18 games over the last three seasons, hasn’t had a 1,000-yard season since the 2021 campaign in which he earned Super Bowl LVI MVP and NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Chatter about the Broncos’ potential interest in Kupp dominated social media on Thursday, with conflicting reports regarding whether Denver was in the mix for the 31-year-old Eastern Washington product. Schefter and Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz claimed the Broncos were in the mix; Dianna Russini of The Athletic asserted on the Scoop City podcast with Chase Daniel that the Broncos were not.

“I’ve never gotten the sense that wide receiver was on the top of the Denver Broncos’ wish list of players they were trying to bring in this offseason outside of the draft,” Russini said. “So, we’ll see what what moves they make there.”

Sean Payton classified veteran receiver as a “need” — but not a “must-have” in a conversation last month. Among the prominent veteran receivers still on the open market are Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, Jamison Crowder and Tyler Lockett.

Denver Broncos Cut Ties with Key Star After Altercation with Coach

In a shocking turn of events, the Denver Broncos have parted ways with one of their star players, cornerback Patrick Surtain II, following a heated altercation with defensive coordinator Vance Joseph during a team meeting this week. Sources close to the team have confirmed that the disagreement escalated to a physical confrontation, prompting the Broncos to make the difficult decision to release Surtain.

The altercation reportedly began when Joseph challenged Surtain’s approach to a defensive strategy, leading to a war of words that quickly turned intense. Witnesses claim the situation became more volatile as emotions ran high, culminating in Surtain shoving Joseph before teammates and staff intervened. While both sides later downplayed the incident as a “miscommunication,” the Broncos’ front office viewed it as an irreparable breakdown in team discipline.

Surtain, a two-time Pro Bowler, has been a cornerstone of the Broncos’ defense since being drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. His performance on the field has been nothing short of stellar, with many considering him one of the top cornerbacks in the league. However, the incident raised concerns about his commitment to the team culture and his relationship with coaching staff.

In a statement released by the team, Broncos general manager George Paton expressed regret over the situation but emphasized the importance of maintaining a unified and disciplined environment.

“We have high expectations for our players, both on and off the field. We’ve made the decision to move forward without Patrick Surtain to ensure the continued success of our locker room and coaching staff,” Paton said. “This is a difficult decision, but we believe it’s in the best interest of the organization.”

The news has sent shockwaves through the league, as Surtain’s release comes just months after he signed a lucrative contract extension. His future in the NFL is now uncertain, but several teams are already expected to express interest in acquiring the young cornerback, should he clear waivers.

The Broncos, meanwhile, will need to quickly regroup and address their defense, a unit that will now have a significant hole to fill. Fans are left wondering how this sudden departure will affect the team’s chemistry as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.