Wide receiver Amari Cooper, one of the best to ever do it, has decided to hang up his cleats after a long and productive ten-year career. At 10:39 am PT this morning, Cooper officially notified the Las Vegas Raiders that he would not be returning. With this announcement comes the final curtain of an impressive statistics-and-accolades-fueled run.
Cooper’s career is marked by five Pro Bowl selections, a reflection of his talent and dependability as a player. Over the span of his career in the league, he piled up a staggering total of 711 catches. He accumulated a phenomenal 10,033 receiving yards and 64 touchdowns. His production in the NFL has all but guaranteed his place amongst the greatest receivers ever.
Drafted fourth overall by the Raiders in 2015, Cooper was an instant sensation. During his first run with the Silver and Black, he pulled in 225 receptions. Over 52 games, he accumulated 3,183 yards and an impressive 19 touchdowns. Still, he says his emotional return to the Raiders this season took a heavy toll. On August 26, he signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins and referred to the signing as a “full-circle moment.”
In 2023, Cooper posted a career-high 1,250 receiving yards. He’s still demonstrating his capacity to play at an incredibly high level. Most impressively, he recorded at least seven seasons with more than 1,000 receiving yards, highlighting his consistency and skill.
Cooper sounded upbeat about his performance right before deciding to retire. He stated that he still had “some juice left,” indicating that he felt capable of contributing further to the sport.
Yet, the extent of Cooper’s career’s influence has not been recognized. That’s why his fellow players and coaches consistently voted for him to be one of the all-time greats in our sport. Dont’e Thornton Jr. praised him, declaring that he is “one of the best receivers to ever do it.” Chip Kelly expressed regret over Cooper’s departure, saying, “It’s unfortunate because I think he’s a heck of a football player.”
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