In a stunning turn of events, wide receiver Amari Cooper has informed the Las Vegas Raiders that he is retiring from the NFL, just over a week after signing a one-year deal with the franchise.
The news was first confirmed by ESPN and multiple outlets on Thursday afternoon. Cooper, 31, had rejoined the Raiders on August 26, calling the move a “full-circle moment” as he returned to the team that drafted him No. 4 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft.
A Legacy-Cementing Career
Cooper leaves the game as one of the most productive wide receivers of his generation:
- 711 career receptions
- 10,033 receiving yards
- 64 touchdowns
- 7 seasons with over 1,000 yards
- 5 Pro Bowl selections
His best year came in 2023 with the Cleveland Browns, where he posted a career-high 1,250 receiving yards and earned his fifth Pro Bowl nod.
Journey Across Four Teams
- Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2015–2018, 2025): Broke out early with two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
- Dallas Cowboys (2018–2021): Established as a WR1, recording 92 catches in 2020.
- Cleveland Browns (2022–2023): Hit his highest single-season touchdown mark with nine in 2022.
- Buffalo Bills (2024): Finished his career with a short stint, limited by a wrist injury.
Raiders Left With Depth Concerns
Cooper’s sudden retirement leaves the Raiders thin at wide receiver. The current group includes Jakobi Meyers (who has requested a trade), rookie Dont’e Thornton Jr., Jack Bech, and Tre Tucker.
Head coach Pete Carroll had planned to use Cooper as both an outside target and a mentor for younger players, but those plans have now evaporated just days before Las Vegas opens the season against the New England Patriots.
End of an Era
Amari Cooper will be remembered as a polished route-runner, a consistent playmaker, and one of the most reliable wide receivers of the past decade. While his return to the Raiders was brief, his NFL career remains one of sustained production and impact.
