Is Amari Cooper retiring from NFL? Shocking details you should know
Amari Cooper Retires Shocking Raiders Days Before Season Kickoff
The Las Vegas Raiders have been dealt an unexpected blow just days before their season kicks off in New England, as veteran wide receiver Amari Cooper has decided to retire from professional football. The announcement, confirmed by league sources on Thursday, comes less than two weeks after Cooper rejoined the Raiders on a one-year deal.
For Cooper, 31, the move was meant to be a symbolic “full-circle moment.” Drafted fourth overall by the then-Oakland Raiders in 2015, the five-time Pro Bowler was expected to bring both veteran leadership and on-field production to Pete Carroll’s revamped offense. Instead, his decision to step away leaves a sudden void in the Raiders’ receiving corps.
General manager John Spytek and coach Pete Carroll had counted on Cooper to play a pivotal role in Sunday’s game plan, mentoring rookies Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech while serving as a reliable target on the perimeter. Carroll had publicly praised Cooper’s influence, saying his presence would ease the pressure on the younger receivers.
Now, the team must pivot quickly. With Cooper gone, the Raiders’ wideout depth narrows to Bech, Thornton, Tre Tucker, and Jakobi Meyers — the latter already unsettled by a trade request amid contract frustrations. Practice squad options Justin Shorter, Shedrick Jackson, and Alex Bachman could be called up to help fill the gap.
Cooper’s career, however, speaks for itself. Across 10 seasons, he racked up 711 receptions, 10,033 receiving yards, and 64 touchdowns. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark seven times, with a personal best of 1,250 yards in 2023. He spent time with the Cowboys, Browns, and most recently the Bills, after leaving the Raiders in a midseason trade in 2018.
Although his 2024 campaign with Buffalo was quieter — 44 catches for 547 yards and four scores in 14 appearances — Cooper retires as one of the most consistent and polished route runners of his generation.
The timing of his exit, just days before the Raiders begin their 2025 season, has left fans and analysts stunned. What was supposed to be a storybook return has instead become the closing chapter of a remarkable NFL career.