Amari Cooper‘s half-season stint in Buffalo didn’t necessarily go as planned. After being shipped from the Browns to the Bills in October, the veteran wideout was limited to only 20 receptions and a career-worst 37.1 yards per game. Despite the disappointing results, it sounds like Bills GM Brandon Beane would make the move again.
Speaking to reporters today, Beane said he does “not regret the move” and believes Cooper helped the Bills despite the lack of counting stats (per ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg). The GM also hinted that the wideout’s wrist injury may have contributed to his underwhelming production. Beane told reporters that Cooper’s wrist injury could have required surgery, with one doctor actually recommending that route. However, the wideout decided to play through the injury (per Getzenberg).
Cooper is now set to hit free agency, and there’s a chance the two sides look to continue their partnership. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Bills have been happy with Cooper’s presence in the locker room, and they’re “intrigued” by the idea of giving the receiver a full offseason to click with Josh Allen.
The 30-year-old WR may not have a robust market following a disappointing 2024 campaign. In 14 games with the Browns and Bills, Cooper was limited to only 44 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns. Still, Cooper is only a year removed from a 2023 campaign where he hauled in a career-high 1,250 receiving yards, so there could be plenty of teams that are willing to look past the recent drop in production.
While the Bills will continue to evaluate their wide receiver options heading into the offseason, the front office will also be focused on keeping their franchise QB in Buffalo for the long haul. While Allen is still under contract through the 2028 campaign, Beane didn’t completely rule out extending his franchise star.
“I’m not saying it will happen, I’m not saying it won’t happen — I don’t really want to go into that,” Beane said of a potential extension (h/t Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com). “And I really can’t tell you at this point. We haven’t even approached that. It’s just, season-ending loss, he doesn’t even want to talk about it. … He was dejected, like all of us. There will be a time and place. And not saying we will, but not ruling it out either.”
Amari cooper is on the Bills? lol
My exact reaction
Bills don’t utilize him well. He would be a better fit for the Cardinals or Broncos
It was a waste of 2 picks
Hindsight can make anyone look like a genius but I think the Bills took a reasonable gamble that could have worked out well. With Diggs no longer in the Bills plans they had to find some WR depth and a 5x Pro Bowler is generally worth taking a chance on.
Its a matter of price.
Im not paying him anywhere near the going rate.
Also: if someone signs him it first factor into comp pick formula.
Well, it seems like a decent idea. Cooper needs to rebuild value after a midseason trade, and Buffalo doesn’t yet have a reliable number one receiver. I agree with SentinelATL above that the Bills don’t really use him in the same way that he’s been used before, but it was a decent gamble and
it’s believable that he could have a better year next year. The Bills’ offense was pretty Allen-centric, and could afford a bit more structure next year in general to help him out-that structure should also benefit a player like Cooper who plays well with structured assignments. If they don’t do that, then perhaps it’s best for him to move on.
He is also on the wrong side of 30.
But the Bills need bodies who can work outside.
Im thinking 1 year 8-10 million. Im not interested in locking up an aging WR in an “everybody eats offense”.
But the rest of Bills receivers are Shakir, Coleman and the ghost of Curtis Samuel – plus a bunch of practice squad guys. Tyrell Shavers is like 25 or 26. It’s pretty unrealistic to expect a breakout from him.
That room needs addressed and Cooper is really just a band aid.
If they let him walk Im not upset either.
Yeah, I can agree with all of that.
I agree with 1 year guaranteed around 8 mill. He’s pretty clearly not a number 1 anymore, unless he was hurt more than we know, but by all accounts he fit well within the team culture and can still make spectacular catches the others can’t. A good veteran presence always helps. Gotta sign Hollins for the exact same reason. Save the splashier moves for defensive upgrades… which are sorely needed.
Ever since Edmunds left this defense hasn’t been the same. We need some more size at LB and at DT. We desperately need a CB because Elam is clearly garbage. He has to go and I bet Douglas leaves in fa. HUGE holes need filling.
Luckily lots of money to go around with Diggs off the books