Former Cleveland Browns receiver Amari Cooper will not be playing this season after all, despite recently signing a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Cooper informed the Raiders on Thursday that he plans to retire, just days before the start of the regular season. He signed with Las Vegas on Aug. 25.
Amari Cooper had been struggling to ramp up since re-signing last week with the team that drafted him. Now, three days before the opener, the five-time Pro Bowl receiver walks away at age 31,” Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported.
Cooper was a Pro Bowler as recently as 2023 with the Browns. However, his play fell off a cliff last season. He started the year with the Browns, grabbing 24 receptions for 250 yards and two touchdowns. Cooper was traded to the Buffalo Bills midseason but never emerged as a difference-maker for the AFC contender. He caught just 20 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns over eight games.
Cooper was a quiet but consistent producer throughout his career. He let his production speak for itself, stacking seven 1,000-yard seasons and five Pro Bowl selections while serving as a steady, reliable target.
Cooper notched 711 receptions, 10,033 yards, and 64 touchdowns over his 10-year career.
Browns Confident in Pass-Catchers Despite Inexperience
After Cooper’s departure last season, Jerry Jeudy took over as the No. 1 option for the Browns and thrived. Jeudy put together his first Pro Bowl season in Cleveland, catching 90 catches for 1,229 yards and four touchdowns. He was a lone bright spot in what was a miserable campaign for Cleveland.
“I’ve been putting a lot of work throughout the off-season and having a year that I had last year just gives more confidence to be able to do the same thing again this year,” he said. “So I’m very confident and excited about the season.”
Jeudy is now the veteran leader in the wide receiver room. He’s confident in the group, which also features Cedric Tillman (25), Jamari Thrash (24), Isaiah Bond (21) and Gage Larvadain (22).
“A lot of outsiders may not know, but the people inside know who we got, and that’s why we got who we got,” Jeudy said.
Jeudy has been particularly impressed with Bond and rookie tight end Harold Fannin.
“(Isaiah) did a great job just coming in here and just learning the offense pretty quickly. He is a very smart, talented player (who is) going to have a big role on this offense,” Jeudy said. “(Harold) can line up anywhere on the field, backfield, tight end, receiver. He has a great skill set, and I’m excited for him.”
Joe Flacco Stepping in as Starting QB for Browns
The Browns have a lot of questions on offense beyond wide receiver. That includes at quarterback, where Cleveland is relying on 40-year-old Joe Flacco to lead the offense.
Flacco is entering his 18th season but has impressed his teammates, including Jeudy.
“(Joe is) a veteran quarterback who knows the game of football, knows where to put the ball for receivers to make plays. He is a smart quarterback that you can learn a lot from,” Jeudy said.
The Browns open their season on Sunday at home against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Ex-Browns Star Announces Sudden Retirement