The Los Angeles Rams are among the Super Bowl contenders ahead of Sunday’s game at the Minnesota Vikings. That’s largely because of Cooper Kupp, who is having the season of his life.

Munich – Cooper Kupp doesn’t stand a chance.

At least not if you look at NFL history so far. Because to date, not a single wide receiver has managed to be voted MVP. A kicker actually made it in 1982, but not a receiver.

Yet Kupp provides numerous arguments for being voted the league’s most valuable player.

So many, in fact, that the 28-year-old is not aware of all the records he has broken this season.

Most recently, in the win against the Seattle Seahawks, he broke Hall of Famer Isaac Bruce’s record (119) with 122 catches in 14 games. In two fewer games, mind you.

Record? “I had no idea “

“I had no idea,” Kupp said when asked about the record. “Obviously, it’s a great honour considering how many receivers have played here.” Also, the game against the Hawks was the 10th straight game with 90 or more yards. Another record like that.

He continues to have his eye on the most important ones. He leads the league in the top three categories with 122 catches, 1,625 yards and 14 touchdowns before Sunday’s Week 16 game at the Minnesota Vikings.Previously, only Jerry Rice (1990), Sterling Sharpe (1992) and Steve Smith (2005) have claimed the Triple Crown.

Parallel, he is on the verge of breaking Calvin Johnson’s record, which stands at 1,964 yards in one season. So 339 yards are still missing, or the equivalent of 113 yards per game. Kupp is averaging 116. Bruce’s Rams record of 1,781 yards is already within reach.

He’s made the Pro Bowl, after all. “I think he has an idea of how well he plays, but he’s really one of the most humble and special players I’ve ever seen,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “I think he’s a legitimate candidate for a lot of awards, but he’s all about our team. He’s interested in leading the right way, making the plays that are critical to our team’s success, and he also does a lot of things without the football. He’s special,” McVay said.

Special is unquestionably his season, his best by far so far. The former third-round pick has been with the Rams since 2017, looking at 869, 1,161 and 974 yards in seasons where he has also played the majority of the games.

Why this explosion of performance now?

Not just out of the slot anymore

Kupp has taken the next step to becoming a more versatile player. Previously used primarily as a slot receiver, he now excels all over the field as an excellent pass receiver and route runner without sacrificing his dominance out of the slot. More unpredictable and playing off that versatility effectively, he is quick, technically strong and equipped with strong hands. Hard to cover, hard to shut down.

On top of that, he’s getting more snaps than before; if he was around 80 per cent in the last two years, it’s more than 90 per cent in 2021.

And of course, new quarterback Matthew Stafford is also a factor in teasing further potential out of the receiver. The chemistry is right, as is the accuracy in his throws.

“He’s having a fantastic season. He’s such a big part of what we do as a team,” Stafford said. “I’m just glad I get the chance to play with a guy like that. We all share in his success, and that’s really fun. We’re just proud of him when we see him do his thing. “

“Doing his thing” Kupp is modest about it. When asked what you should take from him if you want to build the perfect receiver, he says, “The relentless pursuit of improvement.”

Because, “If I ever say in my life that I’ve arrived or we’ve arrived as an offense, that we’ve peaked, that we’ve done the best, that’s the day you lose and the day you leave the game,” Kupp told the New York Post. “There’s always something to strive for, to push for, and we live that day in and day out. “

The postseason is calling

The MVP title and the records are just nice touches. He doesn’t even know them all

Team player Kupp is aiming for the Super Bowl above all else, because he’s been a major factor for the Rams with his season. They are second in the NFC West behind the Arizona Cardinals (10-4) with a 10-4 record. The postseason is calling. The Super Bowl, too?

That’s also up to Kupp. He knows: The chance is there.