By james art The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the few remaining playoff contenders who have yet to make a deal for a wide receiver, and while they had documented interest in Cooper Kupp from the Los Angeles Rams, Ben Roethlisberger has officially said he doesn’t think so. such a move would make sense for either party.
In his last episode Footbahlin podcast following Pittsburgh’s win over the New York Giants in Week 8, Roethlisberger expressed that Kupp probably wouldn’t want to join the Steelers given that his role would be reduced.
“It would be a dream come true, but I don’t think it’s realistic,” Roethlisberger said. “You’re not going to bring No. 1 into this situation. I don’t think Cooper Coop would want to come here. He’s only played three games, but through three games, 23 catches, almost 200 yards, two touchdowns.”
Roethlisberger expanded on that thought, explaining that Kupp’s status as a top option in the passing game could take a hit with the Steelers, which could keep him from joining the team.
“We’ve played eight right now and he’s going to be the No. 4 receiver on our team in less than half the games,” Roethlisberger said. “George Pickens has 35 catches, only 12 behind, he doesn’t want to come in here and catch the ball three or four times a game.”
Kupp has been one of the league’s most productive receivers since his debut season in 2017. He has amassed 590 receptions, 7,264 yards and 53 touchdowns in 95 career games, including a 2021 campaign in which he led the NFL in all three of those categories (145 receptions, 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns), while helping the Rams win Super Bowl LVI over the Cincinnati Bengals.
However, the 31-year-old has struggled to stay on the pitch in recent years. He’s appeared in a total of 21 contests in 2022 and 2023, while playing in the paint just three times so far this season.
Kupp is perhaps the last star receiver with a chance to be dealt at the deadline, but with the Rams firmly entrenched in the NFC West race with a 3-4 record, they may no longer be willing to part with him.
Pittsburgh will keep their eyes open for any kind of deal that could materialize in the coming days, but it’s hard to see a world in which they bring in Kupp.
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