The Buffalo Bills lost another heartbreaker to the Kansas City Chiefs, and their latest postseason defeat could spell the end of the Amari Cooper Era. Starting the season with the Cleveland Browns, the Bills traded a third-round pick for his services and brought him aboard for the final eight games. Brought in to compete in a wide-open receiving room, Cooper finished the season with 44 receptions for 547 yards and four touchdowns. During his eight regular season games with the Bills, the wide receiver hauled in 20 catches for 297 yards and two touchdowns.
Amari Cooper is not the player he once was, but the impending free agent should receive plenty of interest if he leaves the Bills. While Buffalo would likely take him back at the right price, Cooper’s unremarkable postseason could force him to leave. In Buffalo’s three-game playoff run, Cooper recorded a combined six receptions for 41 yards. If he wants to fight for a larger opportunity somewhere else, Cooper could sign with the Los Angeles Chargers or New Orleans Saints.
Chargers, Saints Could Steal Free Agent Amari Cooper From Bills
Head coach Jim Harbaugh knows the Chargers must get more out of their pass-catchers in 2025. While second-round pick Ladd McConkey looks like a star in the making, the rest of the depth chart leaves something to be desired. 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston had his moments during the 2024 season, but the wide receiver is far too inconsistent to be a week-in, week-out WR2 in this offense. The rest of the depth chart, meanwhile, is completely unremarkable and lacks any high-upside playmakers.
Armed with over $63 million in cap space, the Chargers have the financial capacity to go after someone like Tee Higgins. However, Harbaugh believes games are won and lost in the trenches, so he might use the team’s financial liberty to pursue someone like Kansas City’s Trey Smith. This team needs another receiver, but someone like Amari Cooper should be more than enough for a run-heavy team like the Chargers. With a strong defense, reliable weapons, and a great quarterback in Justin Herbert, this team should be ready for a deep playoff run next year.
Saints Throwing Darts
The New Orleans Saints are still looking for their next head coach, but whoever they hire must do something about the offense. While the offensive line will likely be the top priority, the team should do something about the wide receiver position. Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are a fine duo on paper, but Olave’s concussion history is worrisome, as are his implied trade requests from his brother. Derek Carr is only as good as the pieces around him, so this team must create a strong support system in 2025.
Unfortunately, New Orleans lacks the financial resources to sign the best of the best. General Manager Mickey Loomis has kicked the can down the road for the better part of a decade, and the team currently sits $52.3 million over the projected salary cap. While Loomis will restructure his way to cap compliance, he won’t afford top talent. Instead, he’ll have to buy low on Amari Cooper after his relatively disappointing stint with the Bills and hope the 31-year-old has some hidden gas left in his tank.
Main Photo: Tina MacIntyre – USA Today Sports
