Cooper Kupp has never had a stretch like this in his career.
In his last three games, Kupp has caught four passes for a total of 53 yards and no touchdowns. He was blanked against the 49ers in Week 15, caught three passes for 24 yards against the Jets and had one 29-yard reception versus Arizona.
Prior to his dreadful December, Kupp never had fewer than six catches and 77 yards in a three-game span. As bad as his numbers have been lately, it’s not a complete anomaly for the star receiver in the last two years. In fact, it’s become a somewhat troubling trend.
From 2017-2022, there was only one stretch where Kupp had 10 or fewer catches and 100 or fewer yards in a three-game span. That came in November of 2019 when he caught nine passes for 88 yards from Week 10-12.
Since the start of the 2023 season, he’s had three stretches with 10 or fewer catches and 100 or fewer receiving yards in a span of three games: Weeks 7-9 and Weeks 10-12 in 2023, and Weeks 15-17 this season.
The reality is, Kupp is no longer the receiver he once was. He’s had just one game with more than 60 yards receiving in his last six, posting four stat lines with fewer than four catches and less than 30 yards.
It’s time for the Rams to face the facts and shake things up at wide receiver for their playoff run.
This isn’t to say they need to bench Kupp and take him off the field completely. He’s still valuable as a chain-mover on short routes and contributes as a blocker in the run game, but at this point in his career, he doesn’t exactly threaten a defense the way he once did.
For that reason, the Rams should give Jordan Whittington more opportunities. After catching 13 passes for 151 yards in Weeks 4 and 5, Whittington went 10 straight games without catching a pass or even being targeted. His role disappeared after injuring his shoulder in Week 5, which coincided with the return of Puka Nacua and Kupp in Week 8.
In the season finale on Sunday, however, Whittington flashed once again. He caught three passes for 86 yards and also carried the ball twice for 12 yards on jetsweeps, picking up first downs both times – including a fourth-and-1 early in the game.
He hauled in a 50-yard pass from Jimmy Garoppolo on a beautiful out-and-up double-move that put the cornerback on the turf, leaving Whittington wide open down the left sideline.
Jimmy G to Whittington! Gain of 50 on 3rd and 3.
📺: #SEAvsLAR on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/F617u5lCsQ— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025
Good things happen when he has the ball in his hands, which has been the case all year. He simply hasn’t had many opportunities to actually possess the ball for whatever reason.
Increasing a rookie’s role in the playoffs may be a little bit risky, but the offense is sputtering and Whittington showed on Sunday afternoon that he can provide a spark. Whether it’s on handoffs or screen passes, there are simple ways to get him the ball and let him use his speed and physicality to pick up hard-earned yards.
Jordan Whittington picks up big yardage on the screen!
📺: #SEAvsLAR on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/XBIHgAWrW4— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025
He’s been terrific as a kick returner, too, showing what he can do with a little bit of space in the open field.
With Kupp in a slump and going through a cold spell, Whittington could be just what the Rams offense needs this postseason.
