LOS ANGELES — Rams receiver Cooper Kupp this week was announced as the NFL offensive player of the year by the Pro Football Writers of America, and he is a candidate to collect a similar accolade when the annual NFL Honors program is broadcast before the Super Bowl.
But as the Rams prepare to play the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game Sunday at SoFi Stadium, Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell said Kupp and 49ers star receiver Deebo Samuel should receive more consideration as potential NFL most valuable player candidates.
"I know this is a quarterback-driven league," Morris said Thursday during a videoconference with reporters, "and quarterbacks played great, but these two players have to absolutely defy some of the things that are out there."
