NFL Free Agency 2025: Cooper Kupp Looms Over WR Market, Examining Friday's Signings

NFL free agency rolled on on Friday with a number of bargain signings and depth additions.

Teams need role players, of course, and sometimes, players signed to provide depth become much, much more. Of course, most fans are waiting for news to drop on the most notable remaining free agents.

Wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who was released by the Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday, certainly falls into that category. He was arguably the biggest name left on a receiver market that does feature veteran talent.

That market, however, appeared to be in a holding pattern until Kupp decided where he'll play in 2025, which he did on Friday evening.

Kupp Picks Seahawks after Multiple Teams Show Interest

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WR Cooper Kupp

Kupp will turn 32 in June and has battled injuries over the last three seasons. However, he remains a productive pass-catcher when healthy and tallied 710 yards with six touchdowns in 12 games last season.

According to The Athletic's Jeff Howe, the Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos were among the teams that have shown interest in Kupp.

According to Howe, though, Kupp was always unlikely to be the sort of budget addition we often see in the second wave of free agency.

The New England Patriots were also be in the mix, though, reportedly, not at Kupp's asking price.

"According to a source, the Patriots are currently interested on bringing the veteran wideout aboard," Karen Guregian of MassLive wrote. "However, Kupp’s asking price at the moment is a bit too steep."

With so many teams interested, Kupp had several factors to consider, including the financials and any desire he has to play for a legitimate contender. And it would appear that at least a few teams were waiting on Kupp's decision before dipping further into the free-agent receiver pool.

They won't have to wait any longer. On Friday evening, Kupp agreed to terms with the Seattle Seahawks, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. Per Rapoport, Kupp is likely to earn $15 million per season "or more" on his new contract.

Tim Patrick Re-Signs With Lions as Other Veteran Receivers Linger

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WR Tim Patrick

The receiver market wasn't completely devoid of activity on Friday, even before Kupp's decision came through. The Detroit Lions re-signed No. 3 receiver Tim Patrick on a one-year deal worth up to $4 million, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Patrick returned to the spotlight with Detroit last season after missing his 2022 and 2023 campaigns with the Denver Broncos because of a torn ACL and a torn Achilles.

The 31-year-old wasted little time fitting in with Detroit's culture and settling in as the third receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. His signing took another experienced pass-catcher off the board as teams awaited news on Kupp.

Fortunately, some other seasoned receivers are still available, though most of them carry question marks.

Stefon Diggs was a No. 1 receiver for the Buffalo Bills just two seasons ago, but he was more of a complementary option with the Houston Texans last year and is coming off of a torn ACL.

Amari Cooper has been a No. 1 receiver at almost every stop, but he failed to make a significant impact after joining Buffalo before last year's trade deadline. The 30-year-old may have finally lost a step, though he did have a 1,250-yard season with the Cleveland Browns in 2023.

Keenan Allen has battled soft-tissue injuries in recent years but remains a savvy route-runner and a dangerous red-zone threat when healthy. If his market doesn't materialize, it wouldn't be a total surprise to see him follow Mike Williams back to the Los Angeles Chargers.

"I would love that. Why not?" Williams said of the possibility, per ESPN's Kris Rhim.

Williams re-signed with the Chargers earlier this week after spending 2024 with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Other receivers on the market include Tyler Lockett, Elijah Moore and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Kareem Hunt, Nate Herbig Headline Friday's Other Bargain Deals

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RB Kareem Hunt

Kupp isn't the only notable player whose decision has been highly anticipated. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers continues to hold a captive audience and has drawn interest from the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants.

ESPN's Dan Graziano said on Get Up (h/t Bleacher Report's Scott Polacek) that the Steelers and Giants "are begging him to sign with them."

While things have been quiet on the Rodgers front, teams have been making moves.

The Kansas City Chiefs, for example, re-signed running back Kareem Hunt on a one-year, $1.5 million deal, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Hunt joined the Chiefs last season after Isiah Pacheco suffered a broken fibula and went on to lead the team in rushing.

The Washington Commanders took a flier on guard Nate Herbig, signing him to a one-year deal, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Herbig missed the 2024 season with a torn rotator cuff but started 30 games over five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets and Steelers. He represents exactly the sort of low-risk, high-reward signing we typically see during the second wave of free agency.

There was a quarterback signing on Friday, as the Chiefs also added Bailey Zappe. He'll join free-agent addition Gardner Minshew as depth behind Patrick Mahomes and should have Kansas City's quarterback room settled for 2025.

Other players signed on Friday include defensive tackle Jerry Tillery, linebacker Eric Wilson and tight end Pharaoh Brown. Bleacher Report's grades for Friday's major moves can be found here.

Notable free agents who remain available include guard Mekhi Becton, offensive tackle Cam Robinson, cornerback Rasul Douglas and safety Justin Simmons.