Raiders rocked by shock retirement just days before Week 1 kickoff

The Las Vegas Raiders have been rocked by the news that wide receiver Amari Cooper has decided to retire from football just three days before their first game of the 2025 NFL season.

The reason Amari Cooper retired from football at 31

Cooper had only rejoined the franchise that drafted him on August 25, signing a one-year, $3.5 million contract. However, as reported by NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo, the 31-year-old has had a change of heart and informed the Raiders he no longer has the desire to play football.

Cooper’s decorated career

The Floridian was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the first round with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft. Cooper was named to the Pro Bowl on three occasions while with the Raiders and was also selected twice more during stints with the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns.

The wide receiver switched from the Browns to the Buffalo Bills in October 2024 before reuniting with the Raiders less than two weeks ago.

In his 10 NFL seasons, Cooper recorded 711 receptions for 10,033 yards with 64 touchdowns.

Raiders face Week 1 with a thin receiving corps

The Raiders are left with just four wide receivers - Jakobi Meyers, Dont’e Thornton, Tre Tucker and Jack Bech - on their roster ahead of their Week 1 game at the New England Patriots on Sunday, September 7, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 P.M. ET.

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