Amari Cooper Returns to Raiders on One-Year Deal: A Familiar Face Back in Silver & Black
In a full‑circle moment, wide receiver Amari Cooper is heading back to the Las Vegas Raiders, signing a one‑year contract that brings him home to the franchise that selected him with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
At 31 years old, Cooper’s return marks a strategic move by the Raiders amid a notable shake‑up at the receiver position. Jakobi Meyers, the team’s current top receiver, recently requested a trade after contract negotiations stalled—an unexpected turn that prompted the Raiders to seek veteran reinforcements And Black Pride
The One-Year Contract Details
Reports vary slightly on the contract’s total value, but all agree on its structure: a \$3.5 million base salary, with potential to reach \$6 million through per-game bonuses and incentives.
A Return to Familiar Ground
Cooper’s initial stint with the Raiders spanned from 2015 through mid‑2018, during which he notched back‑to‑back 1,000‑yard seasons and two Pro Bowl appearances. In total, he tallied 225 receptions, 3,183 receiving yards, and 19 touchdowns** over 47 games before being traded to the Cowboys
Since departing Las Vegas, Cooper has had stints with the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, and most recently the Buffalo Bills. His performance in 2024, however, dipped—recording only 44 receptions for 547 yards and **four touchdowns across 14 games.
What Cooper Brings to the Raiders
The Raiders’ receiving corps is notably youthful, with Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Pro Bowl tight end Brock Bowers forming the current core. Cooper returns as the most seasoned option—a veteran presence poised to mentor younger players and stabilize a unit lacking consistent production.
He’s expected to slot into the top rotation immediately, especially if Meyers departs. For quarterback Geno Smith, Cooper offers a reliable target with a known ability to execute routes and create separation.
Quick Turnaround Before Season Opener
With the 2025 NFL season kickoff just weeks away, Cooper has limited time to rebuild chemistry and learn the playbook under Raiders head coach Pete Carroll and new GM John Spytek.
Amari Cooper’s return to Las Vegas is more than symbolic—it’s a calculated move aimed at injecting experience into a receiver room in flux. Whether he can rediscover his early-career form or emerge as a mentor—or both—will be pivotal for a team eager to rebound after a disappointing 2024 campaign and capitalize on a fresh coach‑GM regime.