Amari Cooper’s return to the Las Vegas Raiders was extremely short-lived.
Cooper, 31, did not sign with any team during the spring after a disappointing mid-season stint with the Buffalo Bills. Cooper waited until the end of training camp and the preseason to make his move, signing a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Raiders on August 25.
The addition of Cooper came shortly after Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers requested a trade. It was believed that Cooper would be a valuable option if Meyers was moved. Las Vegas ultimately told Meyers they would not trade him, which turned out to be a wise decision as Cooper decided to retire on Thursday.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Cooper informed the Raiders that he no longer had the desire to play and intended to retire.
Cooper started his career with the Raiders. He made the Pro Bowl in three of his first four seasons in the league. The Raiders would trade Cooper to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a first-round pick in 2019. He added two Pro Bowl appearances in his four seasons with the Cowboys. Despite being highly productive in Dallas, the Cowboys traded Cooper to the Cleveland Browns in 2022. He earned one more Pro Bowl appearance during his two-plus seasons with Cleveland.
Cooper was traded for the third time in his career last season when Buffalo acquired him at the trade deadline. The veteran wide receiver was viewed as an additional weapon for Josh Allen, but Cooper ultimately struggled in Buffalo. In eight games with the Bills, Cooper caught 20 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite his production taking a hit in Buffalo, Cooper was content as the Bills were winning games.
“Winning is way more important, and there’s many ways to win,” Cooper told the media. “So absolutely no complaints from me, because that’s all I truly wanted. I mean, I’ve had it every other way and haven’t really reached the pinnacle of this sport.”
Cooper finished his career with 711 receptions, 10,033 yards and 64 touchdowns.
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