The search continues for a potential addition to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver room.
Free agent veteran Amari Cooper has signed a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Cooper was drafted fourth overall by the Oakland Raiders in 2015. He played three and a half seasons for the franchise until a mid-season trade to the Dallas Cowboys in 2018.
A five-time Pro Bowler, last in 2023 with the Cleveland Browns, Cooper has played for four teams during his
10-year career.
He struggled to find his footing after being traded from Cleveland to Buffalo during the 2024 season. Despite playing with Josh Allen, the chemistry between Cooper and the league MVP never materialized. Cooper grabbed 20 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns in eight games with Buffalo, combining for career lows in catches (44), yards (547), and touchdowns (four) in 14 games split between the Browns and Bills.
Cooper, 31, leads the NFL in drops since 2015. He’s struggled to become a dependable target since departing Dallas, and questions loomed all offseason about whether Cooper would even play this year.
The news of his signing comes mere hours after receiver Jakobi Meyers requested a trade from Las Vegas.
After trading for DK Metcalf and trading away George Pickens, the Steelers could benefit from another veteran wide receiver. Calvin Austin is still dealing with an injury, and there isn’t an established veteran behind him with much track record.
Second-year receiver Roman Wilson had a promising preseason, but his real test is just beginning after missing his rookie season due to injury. The Steelers need Wilson to be the impactful player they drafted him to be in the third round, regardless of whether they sign another wideout or not.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported on Monday that the Steelers “continue to scour the veteran wide receiver market” before Tuesday’s deadline for all 32 teams to cut down their roster to 53 players. Whether or not they’ll put ink to paper with anyone remains to be seen.
The Steelers open the 2025 season against the Jets on September 7.
