The Las Vegas Raiders recently brought back one of their most beloved wide receivers of the modern era, Amari Cooper, and they should keep the reunion party going by resigning Hunter Renfrow.
Renfrow was recently cut by the Carolina Panthers in one of the more surprising moves of the preseason. According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Carolina wants to bring him back, but Renfrow is weighing his options because he is drawing interest from multiple teams.
Carolina wants to bring him back. But Renfrow, 29, has opportunities elsewhere and is mulling his next move.
Renfrow initially signed with the Panthers to be closer to family, but it seems that is not as much of a consideration anymore.
The 29-year old is attempting to make his NFL comeback in 2025 after spending 2024 out of football.
Renfrow Was A Beloved Star For The Raiders
Hunter Renfrow endeared himself to football fans everywhere as a walk-on turned National Championship hero at Clemson.
Renfrow caught two touchdown passes in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, a loss for Clemson, and the game-winning touchdown in the 2017 CFP National Championship game. He also helped Clemson win the 2018 championship.
He didn’t have the most statistically impressive college career, but his ability to step up in clutch moments and journey from a walk-on to productive wide receiver on a 2x national championship team endeared him to football fans across the country.
So Raiders fans were excited to get Renfrow in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He caught 49 passes for 605 yards and four touchdowns in his first season.
Two seasons later, in 2021, Renfrow really broke out. He caught 103 passes for 1,038 yards and 9 touchdowns, good enough to be named to the Pro Bowl.
But after an injury-plagued 2022 season, Renfrow’s production fell off a lot in 2023. He was unceremoniously cut by the Raiders ahead of the 2024 season.
Seeing Renfrow also cut by the Panthers was surprising because Carolina has a largely young, unproven wide receiver group and they traded Adam Thielen to the Minnesota Vikings.
Raiders Wide Receiver Room: Does Renfrow Fit?
The Raiders do have a lot of talent at wide receiver heading into the season. The room has the potential to be the most talented the Raiders have had in awhile.
If top 2025 draft picks Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton Jr. pan out while veterans Cooper and Ja’Kobi Meyers play like themselves, the Raiders could have a great wide receiver room on their hands.
But that’s a big if, especially after Meyers requested a trade from the Raiders.
There’s no clear player that Renfrow should replace on the 53-man roster, per se. Beck, Cooper, Meyers, Thornton and Tre Tucker have all earned their spots on the opening day squad.
But Renfrow would be a good addition as a sixth wide receiver. The Raiders could move on from one of their 10 offensive linemen or 10 defensive linemen to carry Renfrow on the roster.
Worst case scenario? Renfrow sells a few more tickets and if he doesn’t pan out, the Raiders move on from him midseason.
Best case scenario? Third-and-Renfrow becomes a reliable option in the clutch once again in a wide receiver room with a lot of youth and inexperience.
What do you think, Raiders fans? Should Las Vegas bring back Hunter Renfrow?
The Las Vegas Raiders Should Bring Back A Fan Favorite The Carolina Panthers Recently Cut