The NFL regular season has officially begun, and a former Buffalo Bills player has chosen not to participate in this new year.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, current Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper is retiring. “Comeback no more: Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper has informed the team that he no longer has the desire to play and intends to retire, per The Insiders,” Rapoport wrote on X.
Amari Cooper Had a Great Career
Cooper recently signed with the Raiders after being a free agent throughout the offseason. Last year, the Bills traded for him from the Cleveland Browns during the regular season.
Upon his arrival in Buffalo, Cooper was expected to help the passing game. However, that expectation did not happen. He only recorded 297 receiving yards and two touchdowns during his time with the team.
Cooper’s contract expired after last season, and the Bills were not interested in re-signing him. There was a reason he spent the entire summer as a free agent, and it’s likely he was unsure about continuing his football career.
In his ten NFL seasons, Cooper played in 154 games for the Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, Browns, and Bills. He concluded his career with 10,033 receiving yards and 64 touchdowns. Over the course of his career, he was selected to five Pro Bowls, with his final appearance occurring in 2023 while playing for Cleveland.
When Cooper signed with the Raiders last week, it became clear that Las Vegas was putting together a strong offensive squad. The team traded for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith during the offseason. They also selected Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty in the first round of the draft; Jeanty finished second to Colorado’s wide receiver/defensive back, Travis Hunter, in the Heisman race last year. Additionally, the Raiders have one of the best young tight ends in the NFL, Brock Bowers, who recorded 1,194 receiving yards and five touchdowns in his rookie season last year.
The Bills Signed Davis Instead of Cooper
The Raiders needed Cooper to help them in the tough AFC West, where any of the four teams could potentially make the playoffs. The Bills were not set to face Cooper this season, as Buffalo is scheduled to play against teams from the AFC North, as well as the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens in their conference matchups, while also competing within their own division, the AFC East.
There was some speculation that the Bills might have considered bringing back Cooper when he was still unsigned at the beginning of training camp. However, the team decided to re-sign another former wide receiver, Gabe Davis, who had spent four years with the Bills from 2020 to 2023 before signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars last offseason.
Davis was signed to the Bills‘ practice squad this week. But he will be placed on the practice squad, injured reserve, since he is still recovering from a meniscus injury suffered last season.
Buffalo will kick off their season against the Ravens on Sunday Night Football this week, which should be an epic performance.
5-Time Pro Bowl Former Bills WR Retires Days After Signing With New Team