The weather in Seattle is finally clearing up. Well, at least as far as the Seahawks are concerned. The offseason was full of drama for Mike Macdonald with DK Metcalf’s trade, Tyler Lockett’s release, and then a need to find their next receivers. Then, Seattle found its answer on Thursday in the 30-year-old WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling. With the Seahawks already celebrating the incoming WR who shares some features with DK, the team introduced another big update. And maybe some storm is coming Seattle’s way again.

Friday’s headlines read: Seattle Seahawks sign free agent Cooper Kupp. The LA Rams let the 31-year-old walk into free agency seven years after he was drafted in 2017. And here comes the drama.

You see, five years ago, Kupp changed his jersey number from 18 to 10, tributing his Eastern Washington college. No. 10 was already in honor of his high school jersey No. 1. So, with him changing his location for the first time, he could very well ask for his jersey number to be back to No. 1. But before any ‘what ifs’ could become a reality; Marquez has dropped his own request in due time.

The 30-year-old stirred a hornet’s nest by tweeting, “I need a jersey swap made to #1 please 🤗”

But you see, his request is not without a reason. Back in NC State, Marquez used to wear that number. And while his numbers were not exactly as outstanding in the two years he stayed with the Wolfpack, seems like he is ready to revamp the number for good. But there more to this request still. MVS last wore No. 10 with the New Orleans Saints. But entering the Seahawks, he cannot continue with that since Uchenna Nwosu already has his name inked on it. Then he has No. 11.

However, the jersey that MVS wore with South Florida in NCAA and Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL is also taken by Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Then what remains? It is the jersey No. 1. And seems like the cards are in favor for the 2x Super Bowl Winner.

The Hawks were rumored to place a tender on their WR and return specialist, Jaelon Darden, who currently has the No. 1 jersey. But that didn’t happen. Darden is already in the free agency and so far, no deal has been finalized. But once that happens, MVS will get the jersey No. 1, in case they don’t decide to give it to Cooper Kupp.

The case there is that Kupp wore No. 10 with the Rams. However, Nwosu already holds that number. If you’re thinking, well, Kupp can go back to No. 18… Well, no. Josh Ross is already in that jersey. Hence, the decision purely lands in the hand of Seattle at this point and of course, the players involved. But with his tweet, Marquez has already shown his interest in No. 1.

For now, the Seahawks will be more focused on what he can bring to the table with his $5.5 million/ 1 year deal. In his 7-year NFL career, MVS played 106 games (68 starts) with 205 receptions for 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, adding some big game experience to his resume. While he shares certain similarities with Metcalf, MVS is determined to forge his own identity on his new team.

“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 in his introductory interview.

After leaving the Chiefs, MVS signed with Buffalo last season but 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. In fact, a connection from the Saints is what brought MVS to the Seahawks.

During his opening interview, Marquez revealed, “I think that was all Klint (Kubiak). We were together in New Orleans and he took the job here. I think it was a great fit. Obviously they lost some really good receivers, so it kind of opened up the door for me to come in and step in.”

Certainly, previously working with the current Seahawks offensive coordinator and improving his game in New Orleans made some impression on the stakeholders in Seattle. After signing Marquez, Seahawks President of Football Operations and GM John Schneider said, “MVS was big for us to be able to (find a player) to take the top off (the defense) after losing DK. So that became a priority for us.”

MVS is surely up for it in Seattle, but one day after his move, the franchise announced the blockbuster arrival of another veteran voice in Kupp.

Cooper Kupp moves to divisional rivals

Cooper Kupp’s future was up in the air following his release from the Rams. Reason? 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 starts), 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.