Even though Amari Cooper recently signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, he retired just a few days later. Now, the AFC West club has signed a versatile wide receiver to address the issue and give Geno Smith more support.
On Thursday, Amari Cooper shocked everyone by announcing his retirement from the NFL. He had signed a one-year, $4 million deal with Las Vegas, only to walk away from football a week later.
His announcement raised concerns among fans. However, the Raiders quickly activated a backup plan by signing Justin Shorter, a versatile wideout who is expected to be very helpful for Geno Smith.
Who is Justin Shorter?
Justin Shorter is not a stranger to the Raiders. He spent the 2024 season with the team, participating in 26 snaps but recording no receptions.
see also
Geno Smith’s key weapon warns the NFL about role on the Raiders
Shorter entered the league in 2023 as a fifth-round pick for the Bills. Initially listed as a tight end, Buffalo struggled to decide whether to keep him at that position or transition him into a wide receiver.
On Friday, the Raiders announced the signing of Justin Shorter to their 53-man roster. The club officially listed him as a wide receiver, which makes sense following Cooper’s retirement.
Why did Amari Cooper retire so abruptly?
Amari Cooper’s arrival in Las Vegas surprised many. The 31-year-old wide receiver signed a one-year deal with the Raiders, but it only took him a week to make up his mind and retire from football.
see also
Amari Cooper shockingly retires from NFL: Who are the WRs on the Raiders’ depth chart in 2025?
The Raiders are currently in the middle of a major rebuild and have a talented, young group of wide receivers. For many, Cooper was expected to take on a WR4 role, and he may not have been comfortable with that.
