Amari Cooper’s Next Act? Seven Teams That Make the Most Sense Right Now
Free agency took a breather while the 2025 NFL Draft did its thing. Now, with rookies landed and needs to be reshuffled, teams are flipping back through the Rolodex of unsigned veterans — and at the top of that list? Amari Cooper is a five-time Pro Bowler with hands softer than a velvet glove.
Let’s be honest. Cooper’s 2024 wasn’t exactly highlight reel material. He managed just 547 yards and four TDs on 44 catches between the Browns and the Bills. He never quite gelled with Deshaun Watson and then struggled to click with Josh Allen.
But come on — the guy’s 30, has a track record, and wasn’t fully healthy. In the right situation, he’s still got WR2 value — maybe even WR1 juice in the right matchup.
Here are seven teams that could — and should — pick up the phone, according to NFL.com.
1. Dallas Cowboys – A Reunion That Makes Too Much Sense
Let’s get the juicy one out of the way. Dallas. Amari Cooper. The old flame.
Yes, things ended weird. Jerry Jones grumbled about Cooper’s contract after a playoff loss, then shipped him off to Cleveland for what felt like a clearance-rack deal. But now? Water under the bridge.
CeeDee Lamb is elite but behind him? You’ve got Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks, and Jonathan Mingo. That’s not a WR room — that’s a work in progress.
Reports say the Cowboys are interested. Cooper, even a step slower, would give Dak Prescott a familiar face who knows how to win routes and make life easier when things break down. This reunion could actually fix what Dallas broke the first time around.
2. Arizona Cardinals – Give Kyler Murray Some More Help
The Cardinals did the flashy thing — they got Marvin Harrison Jr., and Kyler’s already smiling. But behind Harrison, there’s a whole lot of maybe. Zay Jones, Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, and Simi Fehoko? That’s a lunch pail group, not a threat to any defense.
What Amari Cooper could do here is stabilize. Let Harrison work the intermediate game while Cooper clears space deep or works the boundary with veteran precision.
He’s not going to outrun secondaries like he once did, but his ability to manipulate corners and create windows? Still very real. Kyler could use a receiver who’s not figuring it out on the fly.
3. New Orleans Saints – Depth Now, Not Panic Later
At the top, the Saints are set. Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and the return of Brandin Cooks make a pretty solid trio. But the moment injuries show up (which, let’s face it, they always do), things get sketchy fast. Bub Means, a fifth-round rookie, is next in line.
During his Dallas days, Cooper played under Kellen Moore, now the Saints’ head coach. That familiarity could ease the transition. He won’t need to be the go-to, but he brings real value as a depth piece and occasional starter. The Saints don’t need fireworks — they need insurance. Cooper’s a proven, smart investment.
4. Philadelphia Eagles – Depth for a Dynasty Hopeful
Ah, Philly. Every free agent is somehow linked here, whether it makes sense or not. But this one? Actually makes sense.
The Eagles have A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith — two monsters. After that, though? Jahan Dotson is the WR3, and his 2024 production barely moved the needle (216 yards). The rest of the depth chart features a sixth-round rookie (Johnny Wilson) and Terrace Marshall Jr., who’s still in reclamation mode.
If Cooper wants a chance at a ring and the Eagles want depth without drama, this feels like a no-brainer. Philly took a flyer on Julio Jones last year — don’t be shocked if Cooper becomes the next savvy late-addition.
5. Las Vegas Raiders – Don’t Call It a Reunion, Call It a Reset
Remember Amari Cooper: Raider Edition? It’s been a while—seven years, to be exact. A couple of coaches, a few quarterbacks, and a lifetime of dysfunction ago.
Now, the Raiders are in rebuild mode — again. The new head coach, Pete Carroll, and the new general manager, John Spytek, are reshaping things. The WR room? It’s young. Jakobi Meyers is the only one with more than two years of NFL experience. You’ve got Brock Bowers at tight end and some speed in Tre Tucker and Jack Bech, but it’s all green.
Enter Cooper: a voice of experience, a route-running coach in cleats, and a guy who can help Geno Smith get comfortable early. It’s not a flashy signing — it’s a smart one.
6. New York Jets – Garrett Wilson Needs a Grown-Up on the Other Side
At this point, if you’re asking, “Is this just a list of WR-needy teams?” You’re catching on fast.
The Jets are back in the same boat: Garrett Wilson is a star, and everyone else is “eh.” Allen Lazard stuck around after taking a pay cut. Josh Reynolds wasn’t great in 2024. Tyler Johnson, Malachi Corley, and Arian Smith are either projections or question marks.
Whether it’s Aaron Rodgers or Justin Fields under center, Wilson needs a running mate — someone who can get open, work the sideline, and keep defenses honest. Cooper’s not going to change the whole offense, but he could steady it in a way New York desperately needs.
7. Buffalo Bills – Familiarity Breeds Chemistry?
Let’s close with Buffalo — one of the few teams on this list that already had Cooper. It didn’t go well. He logged just 297 yards and two TDs in eight games, and the chemistry with Josh Allen was inconsistent at best.
So why revisit it? Because the Bills still haven’t solved their WR puzzle. Elijah Moore is in, but that’s not enough. And if Brandon Beane was willing to trade for Cooper midseason, why wouldn’t he explore a low-risk deal now?
Cooper knows the system. If his health improves and the pressure is reduced, maybe the second time will work better than the first.
Final Whistle: One Team’s Gamble Could Be a Season-Saver
Amari Cooper isn’t what he once was — and that’s okay. He’s still better than half the starters across the league, and in the right setting, he could be a game-changer. These seven teams? They all make sense in their own way. The only question now is: who picks up the phone first?
As teams prepare for the next season, us fans tend to reminisce and talk about the best players of the past. Check out “Best Quarterbacks in the NFL During the 1990’s” next!
