Less than two weeks after Amari Cooper signed a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders in a full-circle moment for his career, the legendary former Alabama WR has made a stunning pivot and decided to retire instead, just three days before the team's season opener.
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.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 4, 2025
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
Cooper signed a contract with the Raiders right at the end of Training Camp on August 25th, and appeared to be gearing up for an 11th NFL season. It was assumed this would be his final year in the league, and his signing with the Raiders represented a full-circle moment for him with the team that drafted him.
Cooper was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft following a prolific three-year run at Alabama. Cooper was the Biletnikoff Award winner in 2014 and was a key part of the 2012 Crimson Tide National Championship team.
Cooper was a two-time Pro Bowler with the Raiders during his first two NFL seasons, producing over 1000 yards in both seasons. He fell out of favor with the organization shortly after that, culminating in a trade to the Dallas Cowboys in the middle of the 2018 season. Cooper immediately regained his Pro Bowl form, making back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2018 and 2019 with the Cowboys. He earned a lucrative contract extension as a result.
The Cowboys traded Cooper to the Cleveland Browns prior to the 2022 season. With the Browns, Cooper produced back-to-back 1000-yard seasons and made his fifth Pro Bowl appearance.
Cooper started the 2024 NFL season with the Browns, but was traded to the Buffalo Bills before the deadline. He struggled to catch on with the Bills and certainly looked a step slower than his usual self.
Cooper ends his 10-year NFL career with 10,033 receiving yards and 64 touchdowns.
Amari Cooper is an Alabama football legend
Cooper won't be a Pro Football Hall of Famer, but long ago, he forever wrote his name in crimson flame. Cooper made an immediate impact as Alabama's leading receiver during his freshman season with Alabama in 2012.
Cooper produced 1000 yards and 11 touchdowns as a freshman, helping Alabama win the National Championship. Cooper's 1000 yards remains an Alabama freshman receiving record. He caught the game-winning touchdown pass in the Crimson Tide's SEC Championship win over Georgia.
In 2014, Cooper was arguably the best player in college football. He caught 124 passes for 1727 yards, and 16 touchdowns. He won the Biletnikoff Award and finished 3rd in Heisman Trophy voting.
Cooper becomes the second legendary former Alabama WR to announce their retirement this offseason, joining Julio Jones, who announced he was hanging up his cleats back in April.