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.

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.

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.

Cooper played with the Raiders starting in 2015 and remained with the team for three seasons. During that span, he recorded more than 1,000 receiving yards in his first two campaigns. In the middle of the 2018 season, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, later joined the Cleveland Browns in 2024, and then had a final stint with the Buffalo Bills. In his return to the Raiders, he never made his debut.

Cooper had signed at the end of training camp in a hopeful reunion with the team that originally drafted him into the pros. However, at 31 years old, he decided not to make another attempt and chose to retire from professional play, leaving a gap in the Raiders’ wide receiver depth chart.

What does the Raiders’ WR depth chart look like?

With Cooper’s retirement, Jakobi Meyers leads the Raiders’ wide receiver room as the top option alongside Tre Tucker and Dont’e Thornton Jr. Meanwhile, according to the team’s official website, Jack Bech is another key weapon available for quarterback Geno Smith.

The impact of Cooper in the NFL

Cooper’s retirement puts an end to a ten-year career after being selected in the first round of the 2015 Draft as the fourth overall pick by the then-Oakland Raiders. His best season came in 2019, when he reached a career-high 1,189 yards with the Cowboys.

His career peaked when he signed a five-year, $100 million contract extension with Dallas. Strong performances remained a constant even during his time with the Browns. However, injuries took their toll and limited his availability, and nine years after making his return to the Raiders, he decided to say goodbye to the NFL.

With Carroll’s arrival, the Raiders secured Geno Smith as their main quarterback for the next campaign. That is a reunion previously seen with the Seattle Seahawks, but now there is more room for the continuity of a renewed project, with Tom Brady as minority owner.

Cooper signed a one-year contract with the Vegas franchise in a surprise addition after a brief stint with the Buffalo Bills, where the veteran offensive player participated in only eight games. At 31 years old, he is back with the team that promoted him to the NFL.

Cooper’s two-word reaction

Minutes after the confirmation of his arrival to the Raiders, Cooper reposted a video of his highlights with a powerful two-word caption: “Unfinished bidness.” The clip appeared in his Instagram stories but was originally posted by the NFL’s official account.

Where was Cooper drafted by the Raiders?

Cooper’s journey with the Raiders began in 2015, when the wide receiver was drafted as the fourth overall pick. At that time, the franchise was located in Oakland. Cooper completed four seasons with the team, playing 52 games and recording 19 touchdowns.

Cooper’s impact on the Raiders

The recent arrival of the 5-time Pro Bowl winner adds depth to a WR room that includes young names like Jack Bech, Tommy Mellott, and Jakobi Meyers. Cooper brings valuable experience to a franchise with new expectations heading into the next season.

The Bills are just one win away from reaching the 2025 Super Bowl. The AFC East club has had an incredible campaign, driven largely by the outstanding performances of Josh Allen.

During the regular season, the front office sought to bolster the offense by acquiring Amari Cooper. However, the star wideout has not been as involved as he had hoped, and he has now spoken out on the matter.

Amari Cooper gets real on his lack of involvement with the Bills

The Bills are widely regarded as a top contender for this year’s Super Bowl. While their roster isn’t the most star-studded, Josh Allen has carried the team to the AFC Championship with an MVP-caliber season.

Despite being gifted an elite wide receiver midseason, Allen’s remarkable performance has made it seem like he hasn’t needed additional weapons. This lack of chemistry with Amari Cooper has raised questions.

Cooper joined the Bills to be Josh Allen’s primary target. However, he has not lived up to expectations as the WR1, largely due to limited opportunities in the offense.

Cooper recorded just 20 receptions for 297 yards and two touchdowns in the regular season. His production has dropped further in the playoffs, though Cooper has emphasized that he prioritizes team success over personal stats.

“I’m very satisfied,” Cooper said Wednesday on reaching the AFC Championship, via Karl Rasmussen of SI.com. “I’ve never been this far in the playoffs. Obviously, every receiver wants to have 10, 20 catches a game, but that’s not always how the cookie crumbles, and it’s not always the most beneficial thing for the team. . . . Winning is obviously way more important, and there’s many ways to win. We’re getting a job done, so absolutely no complaints from me, because that’s all I truly want. I’ve had it every other way and haven’t really reached the pinnacle of the sport how I would’ve liked.”

Will Amari Cooper continue with the Bills in 2025?

Although the Bills brought in Cooper to fill the role of their top wide receiver, his performance hasn’t matched expectations. With free agency looming after the season, his future in Buffalo remains uncertain.

Cooper has expressed interest in staying with the Bills in 2025. While a short-term deal with Buffalo seems plausible, he may also be enticed by offers from other teams offering a larger role or better terms.

After years of falling short of expectations, this looks like a make or break season for the Bills. And while they’re seen as huge favorites, McDermott and Allen know that there won’t be margin for error from now on.

Therefore, the team will be looking to bring its A-game to get the job done. And while being at full strength is often complicated in the NFL, the Bills seem to have positive news in regard to injury updates, with Allen expected to regain a key weapon to face Denver.

On Wednesday, McDermott revealed that wide receiver Amari Cooper, who had been away for personal issues, is back with the team to participate in the walk through practice of the day.

The 30-year-old was excused from the Bills on Saturday and missed the 2024 NFL regular season finale against the New England Patriots to deal with a family matter, which wasn’t revealed.

McDermott, Allen still waiting to see Cooper’s impact in Buffalo

The Bills landed Cooper right before the trade deadline, sending a third-round pick in 2025 and a seventh-round pick in 2026 to the Cleveland Browns. Apart from the wideout, Buffalo got a sixth-round pick in 2025 as part of the deal.

Of course, the team made the move hoping to see an immediate impact for Allen. However, Cooper has yet to take off in Buffalo, recording just 20 catches for 297 yards and two touchdowns in eight appearances.

Cooper’s chance to step up for the Bills

Either way, there’s no reason to hit the panic button yet. Allen has relied on many different weapons throughout the year, and getting Cooper back just in time for the 2025 NFL playoffs could prove useful.

After all, we’re talking about a player with plenty of experience who can turn up his game at any time. With McDermott and Allen looking to go the distance once and for all, Cooper’s availability could be good news for the Bills in their first test of the postseason against the Broncos.

Finally, the experienced Amari Cooper will not be part of the delegation traveling to face Jerod Mayo’s team. According to reports, Cooper has to attend to family matters and will not be able to join his teammates for Week 18.

The news was confirmed by NFL insider Adam Schefter through his official X (formerly Twitter) account @AdamSchefter: “Bills WR Amari Cooper has been downgraded to out. He will not travel and has been excused for a personal family matter.”

Arriving in Buffalo at the last trade deadline, the talented wide receiver wasn’t always Josh Allen‘s primary target, but he did have some solid performances. Since his arrival, Cooper has caught just 20 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns.

Cooper’s absence for this game, which ultimately won’t impact the Bills‘ fate regardless of a win or loss, will be effectively covered by other wide receivers on the roster. It is expected that the former Cowboys player will be available for the first playoff game.

Sean McDermott delivers update on Bills captain’s

Amari Cooper’s significant absence will not be the only one for the game against the New England Patriots. Starting linebacker Terrel Bernard, one of the team captains, will also be unavailable for the coach. The defensive player suffered a quad injury against the Jets and was unable to fully recover in time.

“Terrel Bernard will not play in this game. He’ll be limited today,” said head coach Sean McDermott prior to Friday’s practice in Orchard Park. Despite this, the head coach knows that his recovery has been progressing favorably: “I feel like he’s moving in the right direction as it relates to next week.”

Mitch Trubisky’s opportunity

Many times, when teams have already secured a playoff spot, their coaches tend to give rest to their star players, or even to those who aren’t at 100% physically.

This is not the case for the Bills, as it is believed that Josh Allen will start in Foxborough. However, all signs point to head coach Sean McDermott giving more opportunities for backup QB Mitch Trubisky to showcase himself.

“I got a chance to get rid of the rushing total this weekend, but I’ll do what I gotta do for the team to take those negative rush yards on the victory kneels. It’s the best play in football, but it does tally up,” said Trubisky after practice in Orchard Park.

“The priority is get a win. Go out, execute the game plan and get a win. If I’m taking victory kneels at the end this weekend, it’s another good thing,” former Bear finally concluded.

The excitement among fans is palpable. Despite challenging weather conditions, the Bills demonstrated their resilience and determination to claim the title. No one stood out more than Josh Allen, who had a historic performance. In a single game, Allen became one of the few players in NFL history to throw, catch, and run for a touchdown, making him the first quarterback to achieve this feat since at least 1970.

On a night to remember, the Bills capitalized on Allen’s spectacular performance, including a crucial touchdown where Allen leaped for the pylon to extend Buffalo’s lead. Before that, Amari Cooper played a pivotal role, delivering a perfect pass to Allen for another touchdown. In the post-game press conference, Cooper reflected on the moment and the play that had fans roaring with joy.

“I was wondering what he was doing over there,” Cooper said when asked about the play against the 49ers. “He pitched it, and I just had to make a play. It was awesome,” Allen added, clearly thrilled by the teamwork.

Allen’s stats against the 49ers

In one of the most exciting matchups of the NFL season, the Bills faced off against the 49ers on Sunday. The game was a thrilling spectacle, with standout performances from both quarterbacks— Allen for the Bills and Deebo Samuel Sr. for the 49ers. Fans at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo left the venue buzzing with excitement. However, it was Allen who stole the show, delivering one of his finest performances of the season.

Whether rushing or passing, Allen demonstrated why he’s a leading candidate for this year’s MVP. He completed 13 of 17 passes for 148 yards, threw 2 touchdowns, and added 13 yards on 3 rushing attempts. With these stats, Allen set a new franchise record for career touchdowns, now at 246.

Allen’s stats during the NFL regular season so far

As the Bills continue to lead their division, much of their success can be credited to Allen’s outstanding play. With 12 games behind them and 5 more to go, Allen has posted impressive numbers that have kept his team in contention. The decision now rests with head coach Sean McDermott whether he will continue to lean on Allen for the remainder of the season or allow him some rest.

Despite the decision, Allen’s performance this season has been impressive. He has completed 230 of 356 passes, with a 64.6% completion rate, accumulating 2,691 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, and 124 first downs. Additionally, he has rushed for 334 yards on 70 attempts, adding 6 touchdowns and 34 first downs.

Following the AFC Championship, the Bills will face three divisional rivals and two non-divisional opponents. Their next matchup will be against the Los Angeles Rams next weekend, followed by a game against the Detroit Lions, another title contender.

The energy at Highmark Stadium was electric, with fans rallying behind their team from the opening whistle. Quarterback Josh Allen was in exceptional form, orchestrating the offense and keeping Buffalo’s title aspirations alive. The victory has rekindled hope for a run at the AFC title, a prize that has eluded the Bills for decades.

With seven weeks remaining in the regular season, the Bills head into their bye week with momentum. The rest comes at an ideal time, allowing players like Allen, Cooper, and the rest of the squad to recover and prepare for the stretch run. After Sunday’s victory, Cooper shared his emotions about the team and his personal journey.

“It’s the first time in a long time that I’ve actually felt joy from winning and from the way we played,” Cooper said. “Also, from having so many guys on the team who are playmakers, stepping up when their number is called. Collectively as a group, it’s an amazing feeling.”

Cooper adaptation to the Bills

Since joining the Bills in October 2024, Cooper has quickly become an integral part of the offense. In just three games, he has tallied 10 targets, 7 receptions, 124 receiving yards, 1 touchdown, and 6 first downs. His impact is clear, and Cooper acknowledged the unique culture within the team.

“It’s kind of a different vibe in Buffalo compared to other places I’ve been,” Cooper admitted. “It’s a tight-knit group. A lot of the guys go out together, they hang around each other 24/7, and it truly shows up on the field.”

Allen leads the charge

Allen was the driving force behind Buffalo’s latest victory. The quarterback completed 27 of 40 passes for 262 yards, threw for a touchdown, and overcame a single interception. His connection with Khalil Shakir proved vital, with Shakir catching 8 passes for 70 yards.

While Allen shined, the Bills also capitalized on an off night from Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs quarterback finished with 23 completions on 33 attempts for 196 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Buffalo’s defense consistently pressured Mahomes, forcing key mistakes that shifted the game’s momentum.

The win solidifies the Bills’ position atop the AFC East in the NFL with a commanding 9-2 record, five games ahead of the second-place Miami Dolphins. As Buffalo heads into its bye week, they’ll gear up for two challenging matchups: a home game against the San Francisco 49ers and a Week 14 clash with the Los Angeles Rams. With the postseason in sight, the Bills have positioned themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the AFC.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, wide receiver Amari Cooper let Allen and McDermott know he feels ready to play against the Chiefs after missing the last two games with a wrist injury.

“Definitely feeling better, definitely more comfortable. Just ready to play football again,” said Cooper, via Alex Brasky. When asked whether he felt ready to come back on Sunday, the Bills wideout didn’t hesitate: “Yeah, I do.”

Cooper joined Buffalo via trade from the Cleveland Browns in October, with the Bills leaving Reid and the Chiefs without a potential weapon for Patrick Mahomes. The wideout got injured in his second game with his new team though, which is why he couldn’t make a notable impact for Allen yet.

Amari Cooper’s start with the Bills

Cooper had a strong debut with four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown in the Bills’ 34-10 win over the Tennessee Titans, before hurting his hand against the Seattle Seahawks the following week.

The Bills listed Cooper as a limited participant in their Thursday injury report, so McDermott will probably wait and see how he progresses to determine his status. But the wideout has already made it clear that he wants to play on Sunday.

Allen, McDermott could miss another Bills pass catcher vs Chiefs

Getting Cooper back would be great news for the Bills, as Allen could be missing another key weapon apart from Coleman. For the second day in a row, tight end Dalton Kincaid did not participate of practice and remains questionable for the game against Kansas City.

The 25-year-old hurt his knee during the first quarter of Buffalo’s win over the Indianapolis Colts last week, and even though he briefly attempted to return after halftime, he ended up exiting the game in Week 10 of the 2024 NFL season.

Reid confirms possible return on Chiefs, but practically rules out two players

On the other hand, Reid also expects to recover another weapon for Patrick Mahomes to play the Bills. Veteran wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who picked up a hamstring injury in Week 7, looks ready to come back.

However, the game in Buffalo seems to come a bit early for other players. While he suggested Smith-Schuster may return, Reid appeared to rule out both RB Isiah Pacheco and DE Charles Omenihu against the Bills.

After experimenting with various wide receivers, the Bills decided to acquire a top-tier wideout for Josh Allen. The quarterback suffered the loss of Stefon Diggs, but now a strong new partnership is on the horizon for Buffalo.

Amari Cooper left the Cleveland Browns after a rocky tenure with the AFC North club. Now, he’ll be receiving passes from one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the NFL, and the Bills are eager to see how this duo will perform.

Amari Cooper opens up about his role with the Buffalo Bills

When the Bills parted ways with Stefon Diggs, fans wondered who would fill his spot. The club didn’t add a top-tier wideout immediately, leaving Josh Allen with a modest group of receivers.

Josh Allen is a remarkable quarterback, which is why the Bills have managed success even without an elite wide receiver. However, the club didn’t want Allen to be left without support, so they traded with the Browns for Amari Cooper.

After his arrival, Allen praised the Bills’ other receivers, but it’s clear that Cooper will be the quarterback’s primary target. The former first-round pick is prepared for the challenge.

“Yeah, of course,” Cooper said on the idea of having a bigger role in Josh Allen’s offense. “I think that’s why they traded for me. Definitely ready for an increased role, definitely ready for more opportunities and I’m ready to pounce on it.”

Cooper now leads the Bills’ receiving corps. Behind the former Cowboys star are other talented players, including Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, and Mack Hollins, though Cooper will clearly be Allen’s main target moving forward.

What were the trade terms between the Bills and Browns for Amari Cooper?

The Bills urgently needed a top-tier wide receiver to support Josh Allen this season. Just before the trade deadline, they found the Browns ready to part ways with Cooper, which was ideal for the AFC East team.

Buffalo acquired Amari Cooper and a sixth-round pick in exchange for a third-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick. Cleveland, set to rebuild, may offload more players to accumulate draft capital.

In Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans, Cooper scored his first touchdown for the Bills, showing his ability to quickly adapt to his new team. After stepping in to replace Curtis Johnson, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury, Cooper wasted no time becoming a reliable target for Allen.

The connection between Allen and Cooper worked seamlessly, and the Bills’ quarterback spoke highly of the wide receiver after the game. “It looked pretty good,” Allen told the media. “It’s a huge shout-out to him for putting in the extra hours of getting ready for this game. It’s not easy being traded during the week and then playing right away.”

Allen also emphasized Cooper’s experience and adaptability: “I think being seven years in the league now, just understanding guys of his caliber, they don’t need a lot. You give them a clear mind, let them go play, and they’ll perform.”

Allen on the importance of Cooper in the team

Allen highlighted the immediate impact of Cooper, emphasizing his experience and the attention he demands on the field. “Anytime you have a player of his caliber, he demands extra attention,” Allen explained. “And if you don’t give it, we’re probably going to throw him the ball. Our guys did a good job of getting open and making plays.”

Cooper’s stats in his Bills debut

It wasn’t just Cooper’s touchdown that stood out. Despite being 30 years old, he demonstrated his ability to quickly adapt to the Bills’ system, finishing the game with four receptions and rushing for 66 yards against the Titans. His performance proved that he still has plenty left in the tank and can be a valuable asset to the team.

With Cooper’s strong debut, the Bills will be closely monitoring Curtis Johnson’s injury status to determine if Cooper will remain in the starting lineup for Week 8 in the NFL against the Seattle Seahawks.