Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper has announced that he will retire from the NFL, according to NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo. The news comes just days after Cooper rejoined the team on a one-year deal, marking the end of his second stint with the franchise that originally drafted him in 2015.
Cooper, a five-time Pro Bowler, finishes his 10-year career with 711 receptions, 10,033 yards, and 64 touchdowns. He spent the first three and a half seasons with the then-Oakland Raiders before stints with the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, and Buffalo Bills.
Amari Cooper Tells the Las Vegas Raiders He Intends to Retire
Support Our Fight To End Fall Weddings
The timing of Cooper’s retirement is striking. He signed with Las Vegas on August 26, intending to reunite with the team, but he will now depart before the 2025 season begins. The reasons behind the decision remain unclear, though reports suggest he no longer has the desire to play football.
The Raiders had hoped Cooper could provide veteran stability to a young receiving corps, particularly with Jakobi Meyers’ trade request still unresolved. His return was also seen as a potential insurance policy in the event Meyers were moved, offering experience and leadership to the team’s wide receiver room.
While Cooper’s market was limited this offseason — including brief consideration from the Cowboys and the 49ers — he ultimately opted to return to Las Vegas. Instead, his career concludes where it began, leaving the Raiders without the veteran presence they anticipated.
Cooper’s retirement underscores the unpredictable nature of NFL careers and the challenges teams face in managing roster stability, especially at key positions like wide receiver.