Raiders reunite with Amari Cooper after denying Jakobi Meyers’ trade request

The Las Vegas Raiders have made a significant move by signing free-agent wide receiver Amari Cooper to a one-year deal, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This reunion brings Cooper back to the team that originally drafted him with the fourth overall pick out of Alabama in 2015 when they were based in Oakland.

The decision to sign Cooper comes after veteran wideout Jakobi Meyers requested a trade due to a contract dispute. Meyers, who is seeking a new deal in the final year of his current contract, has no guaranteed money left on his deal. Despite his request, the Raiders are not willing to trade him as they have limited depth at the wide receiver position.

Last season, Meyers had a standout year with 87 catches for 1,027 yards and four touchdowns. With his production being crucial to the team, the Raiders are reluctant to try and replace him this late in training camp. Among other receivers on the team, Tre Tucker had the second-most yards with 47 catches for 539 yards, but did not score a touchdown.

Cooper, on the other hand, had a successful tenure with the Raiders in his first two seasons, surpassing 1,000 yards each year. He recorded 225 catches for 3,183 yards and 19 touchdowns during his time with the franchise. After being traded to the Cowboys in 2018 and then to the Cleveland Browns in 2022, Cooper joined the Buffalo Bills last season. However, a wrist injury limited his performance, resulting in 20 receptions for 297 yards and two touchdowns in eight games.

Despite the setback, Cooper is looking to bounce back and contribute to the Raiders’ offense alongside quarterback Geno Smith. With less than two weeks until the team’s Week 1 game against the Patriots, Cooper will have a limited time to establish chemistry with his new team. The Raiders are hopeful that Cooper’s experience and talent will make a significant impact on the field this season.