Five-time Pro Bowl WR retiring after recent Raiders reunion

Amari Cooper. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Five-time Pro Bowl WR retiring from NFL after recent Raiders reunion

By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Sep 4, 2025 2:35 PM ET

The Las Vegas Raiders have more wide receiver drama ahead of their Week 1 contest with the New England Patriots on Sunday.

Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, recently signed receiver Amari Cooper informed the team Thursday that he plans to retire immediately.

Amari Cooper is retiring

"Comeback no more: Raiders WR Amari Cooper has informed the team that he no longer has the desire to play and intends to retire, per The Insiders," Rapoport posted on X. "Cooper had signed at the end of camp in a hopeful reunion with the team that drafted. Now, he’s headed home from Las Vegas."

Comeback no more: #Raiders WR Amari Cooper has informed the team that he no longer has the desire to play and intends to retire, per The Insiders.

Cooper had signed at the end of camp in a hopeful reunion with the team that drafted. Now, he’s headed home from Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/jEZHPHBPBq
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 4, 2025

The 31-year-old receiver signed a one-year contract with the Raiders worth $3.5 million on Aug. 26. He didn't make it two weeks with the organization that drafted him in the first round of the 2015 draft before he decided to call it quits.

The Raiders have receiver issues

The Raiders needed Cooper's services amid conflict with Jakobi Meyers. Meyers requested a trade from Las Vegas during the preseason after not being able to agree to terms on a contract extension. Meyers plans to play with the Raiders to begin the season, but is still open to being traded.

During his 10-year career, Cooper earned five Pro Bowl nominations, with his last appearance coming in 2023. He spent time with the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills.

Cooper played in 154 games and started 143, recording 711 receptions for 10,033 yards and 64 touchdowns.

With Cooper's sudden retirement, Las Vegas needs another veteran receiver for quarterback Geno Smith to target.

Jordan Sigler

Jordan Sigler is a sports writer with a decade of experience as a journalist, including his time as a breaking news/day cops reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. His sports coverage across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and college football world has also been featured at ChiCitySports, Gridiron Heroics, Pro Football Network, and Athlon Sports. Based in Austin, Texas, Jordan graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Texas Tech University in 2014

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