Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp had his historic 2021 season recognized when he was named the Offensive Player of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).
This is not the official Offensive Player of the Year award as recognized by the NFL and revealed by the Associated Press. However, it stands as another testament to a remarkable season from the Rams’ No. 1 wide receiver.
Kupp was dominant in 2021, securing a receiving triple crown by leading the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. Kupp had 145 catches on the year for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns. The 145 catches and 1,947 yards are both the second-most all-time.
Kupp became just the fourth player since 1970 to achieve the triple crown. Jerry Rice did so in 1990, followed by Sterling Sharpe in 1992 and Steve Smith in 2005.
PFWA began their Offensive Player of the Year Award in 1992 when Steve Young of the San Francisco 49ers took home the hardware. Kupp makes history by being the first wide receiver to ever win this award, with all 29 previous winners being quarterbacks or running backs.
Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry was the 2020 winner of the award, making it the second straight year a non-QB was named OPOY by the PFWA. Kupp is the fifth Rams player to be given this award in its 30-year history.
QB Kurt Warner was the first Rams winner in 1999, followed by RB Marshall Faulk in both 2000 and 2001. RB Todd Gurley was the fourth winner from the Rams, winning it in 2017 after a dominant season that sent the Rams to the Super Bowl.
The Rams have more winners of PFWA’s Offensive Player of the Year award than any other NFL team. The Indianapolis Colts (3) and the Green Bay Packers (3) are the next closest teams to the Rams.
This season, Kupp has already achieved a Pro Bowl selection, a unanimous NFL All-Pro selection, and selections t PFWA’s All-NFL and All-NFC teams.
Matthew Stafford credits Kupp for “Love of the Game” route
The Rams are playing in this week’s NFC Championship Game thanks to one of the best plays of the season. A massive 44-yard play from Matthew Stafford to Kupp allowed them to set up for a chip shot field goal to win the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Stafford described the play concept as a “Love of the Game” route. “They decided to bring the house and go to zero [coverage]. The route that Cooper is running there is – we describe it a lot of times in our meetings is a ‘Love of the Game’ route.
“You’re really never getting the ball. You’re just clearing out some area, working for some other routes. They decided to bring everybody and that’s really the best option at that point. I felt it after the snap, kind of recognized it was going to be an all-out pressure and was able to put it to a good spot. Coop made a great catch. Then we just clocked it with enough time and Matt [Gay] came in and did his thing, which is awesome.”
