The off-season drama is on! Particularly in Seattle. When the Seahawks announced four cuts at the start of the free agency period, it hinted at the team looking to help increase cap space. The releases of outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones, defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris, safety Rayshawn Jenkins, and offensive tackle George Fant saved the team roughly $27 million. The team also released Tyler Lockett and traded DK Metcalf to the Steelers, leaving them with a need to add receivers. They have moved quickly to address the lack of depth at the position and have brought in not one but two potent WRs with impressive resumés.
On Thursday, the Seahawks announced the signing of former Chiefs WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling from the New Orleans Saints on a 1-year $5.5 million deal. Then a day later, they revealed that Super Bowl LVI MVP Cooper Kupp had also joined the Seattle franchise. While Kupp might be viewed by many as the obvious choice to replace Metcalf, MVS is seen as one of the better deep threats in the league and holds two SB rings, which he earned during his 2-year stint at the Chiefs. Hence, he was quick to make a request to the Seahawks, looking to stamp his authority.
The 30-year-old stirred a hornet’s nest by tweeting, “I need a jersey swap made to #1 please ” Well, is that his mindset or some sort of superstition that he wants to adhere to?
Interestingly, MVS has entered teams with a new jersey number every single time. The 5th-round pick (174th overall) of the 2018 Draft wore jersey number 83 for the Packers till 2021. During his time in Kansas City, he wore no. 11. With the Saints in 2024, he had the jersey number 10. And the common factor? It’s number 1 if you follow it closely.
In the Packers jersey number 83, the digits sum up as 11, which again has the number 1 in it. And if numerology is not on his mind, it might be a tactic to show that he is the best. For what it is worth, Valdes-Scantling has never worn jersey number 1 outright. Whatever it is, he might have to wait to take that jersey number in Seattle.
The Hawks were rumored to place a tender on their WR and return specialist, Jaelon Darden, who currently has the number 1 jersey. But that didn’t happen. Darden is already in the free agency. Till now, no deal has been finalized. But once that happens, MVS will get the jersey number 1, in case they don’t decide to give it to Cooper Kupp. For now, the Seahawks will be more focused on what he can bring to the table.
In his 7-year NFL career, MVS played 106 games (68 starters) with 205 receptions in 3,566 receiving yards and 20 TDs. While he didn’t start the Super Bowl LVII against the Eagles in 2022, he shone next in the Super Bowl LVIII against the 49ers in 2023. The receiver had 3 receptions for 20 yards and 1 TD. So, he has been through some big games. While he shares certain similarities with Metcalf, MVS is determined to forge his own identity on his new team.
I need a jersey swap made to #1 please
— Marquez V-S (@MVS__11) March 14, 2025
“You don’t try to fill those shoes. I had the same question when I went to Kansas City (from Green Bay in 2022) and trying to fill the shoes of Tyreek Hill. Like, you just can’t do that. You go out and you be the best version of yourself, and whatever that looks like is what it looks like..” he said.
After leaving the Chiefs, MVS signed with Buffalo last season and didn’t feature much before being released. A mid-season move to New Orleans followed where he started the final eight games of the season. During this time, he ended up catching 17 passes for 385 yards, giving him a career-best 22.6 yards-per-reception average, and also had four touchdown receptions.
MVS is surely up for it in Seattle, but one day after his move the franchise announced the blockbuster arrival of Kupp.
Cooper Kupp moves to divisional rivals from Rams
Cooper Kupp’s future was up in the air following his release from the Rams, with teams put off by his hefty salary demands. He was slated to make $20 million in 2025, which had some teams like the Broncos and New England peddling backward. But the Seahawks seem to have found a way.
Cooper Kupp arrived at the Hawks on a 3-year, $45 million deal. Expressing his emotions over the development, he tweeted, “Washington back across my chest. Let’s go!!!!!” Kupp, a Yakima native, played at Eastern Washington during his college days.
That was the need of the hour for the Seahawks. In 104 games (89 starters), he had 634 receptions for 7,776 yards and 57 touchdowns. A solid boost for the franchise.
They had previously traded Metcalf in exchange for a second-round pick (52nd overall). Additionally, they sent a sixth-round pick (185th overall) in exchange for a seventh-round pick (223rd overall). Now, Cooper Kupp is set to bring balance to the team’s offensive line while also getting a shot at redemption against his former team.
Kupp is eager to face the Rams and seek revenge, and being in the same division makes it even easier. Fans are already anticipating the showdown—it’s going to be electrifying! But before diving into the season, it will be interesting to see how the starting lineup shapes up. Marquez Valdes-Scantling has already kicked off the competition by expressing his desire to wear jersey number 1 and we will see how things play out with Kupp in the mix.
The post Seahawks’ New WR Demands a Different Jersey No. Held by Free Agent as Cooper Kupp Joins as DK Metcalf’s Replacement appeared first on EssentiallySports.
