The Las Vegas Raiders made a much-needed addition at the wide receiver position by signing veteran free agent, Amari Cooper.
Cooper inked a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Raiders that has a max value of $6 million. He joins a pass-catching group that also features wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and tight end Brock Bowers.
Cooper, who should factor in as the No. 3 pass-catcher behind Bowers and Meyers, spoke to the media on Wednesday for the first time since signing in Las Vegas and revealed he has a source of motivation upon coming back to the Raiders.
“I always kind of had that in the back of my mind because when I was drafted here, I felt like the expectations were high,” he said. “I felt like I did OK, but I always knew why I was drafted. You draft a guy top five, you expect him to come in and really help change the organization.
"And I really felt like times I would show flashes of that, but it wasn’t to my expectations," he added. "So, this time around I feel like I have unfinished business, I see the opportunity working with Geno [Smith] to be able to do some great things, so I’m excited about it.”
Cooper was the No. 4 overall pick in 2015 and spent three-plus seasons with the Raiders before he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in 2018.
The only Raiders player left from that 2018 squad Cooper was on is left tackle Kolton Miller, who was a rookie that year.
“Kolton [Miller] I think he’s the only player here from when I was here,” Cooper noted. “I think he’s the longest tenured player here. It’s crazy because I remember when he was a rookie. That was a long time ago, you know.”
Cooper's consistency during his career has been impressive. In 10 seasons, Cooper has tallied 1,000 yards or more seven times.
He did, however, have a down season in 2024, when he posted just 547 receiving yards, the lowest total of his career. While some fear a decline at the age of 31, there are logical reasons to believe that wasn't the cause of his showing.
In his six games with the Cleveland Browns, Cooper was catching passes from Deshaun Watson. After joining the Bills, Cooper suffered a wrist injury that required surgery, but he decided to play through it.
Whatever you want to chalk it up to, Cooper believes he's "still got some juice left" to make an impact in Las Vegas.
Even if Cooper is declining, the Raiders don't need him to be the No. 1 option in the offense. Furthermore, it won't hurt too much if Cooper doesn't pan out thanks to his reasonable one-year contract.
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