Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba reveals how Cooper Kupp allegedly felt about beating Rams to reach Super Bowl

Ahead of this past weekend, current Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp insisted that he wouldn't feel any extra emotion while going up against the Los Angeles Rams, his former team, in the NFC Championship Game. 

After Kupp helped the Seahawks earn a 31-27 win that sent them to a Super Bowl LX matchup versus the New England Patriots, fellow Seattle wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba hinted that Kupp wasn't being completely honest when he previously spoke about facing the Rams. 

Cooper Kupp "wanted to beat" Rams to clinch a Super Bowl trip

"I know he wanted to beat those guys," Smith-Njigba said about Kupp's alleged feelings on playing against the Rams, per Michael Silver of The Athletic. "He won’t show it, but I’m super excited we got this one for him. He was due for a big moment — clutch moments — and we all knew that when he gets his opportunity, he’s going to maximize it." 

Kupp played for the Rams from when they selected him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft up until he was released last offseason, and he earned Super Bowl LVI Most Valuable Player honors with Los Angeles in February 2022. Shortly after the Rams parted ways with Kupp, he said he didn’t have "a ton of clarity" regarding why the decision was made. 

On Sunday, Kupp recorded four catches for 36 yards and a huge third-quarter touchdown. As Silver noted, Kupp also made some key blocks during the win.