Another Veteran WR Option for Vikings Goes Off the Board
Fans look on after the Detroit Lions defeated the Minnesota Vikings and becoming the 2024 NFC North Champions at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. © Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings have reportedly been on the hunt for a veteran wide receiver over the past few days.
One such option includes a possible reunion with Adam Thielen as multiple pundits have reported that the Vikings and Carolina Panthers have been working on a trade that would send the veteran receiver back to Minnesota.
But, what happens if that deal is not able to happen? The Vikings will still need to find a new receiver to help take some pressure off Justin Jefferson and Jalen Nailor while Jordan Addison serves a three-game suspension, and on Monday, one option went off the board.
Veteran Wide Receiver Option for Vikings Goes Off the Board
Nov 27, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) makes a first down reception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during overtime at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports.
That wide receiver is Amari Cooper, who has opted to create a reunion of his own, signing a one-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the move, posting on X, “Reunion: Former #Bills WR Amari Cooper, one of the NFL’s top free agents still available, is signing with the #Raiders on a 1-year deal, per source. Some late, big-time pass-catching help for the team that once drafted him in the first round.”
Cooper began his career with the Raiders (then of the Oakland variety) where he budded into one of the biggest stars in the NFL. The Alabama product was selected fourth overall in the 2015 NFL Draft.
September 10, 2018; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) is pushed out of bounds by Los Angeles Rams cornerback Aqib Talib (21) and safety Lamarcus Joyner (20) during the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Cooper spent about 3.5 years in Oakland, totaling 225 receptions for 3183 yards and 18 touchdowns with the Raiders before being traded to the Dallas Cowboys during the 2018 season.
Since then, he has spent time with the Cowboys (2018-2021), Cleveland Browns (2022-2024), and Buffalo Bills (2024).
During this past season that was split with the Browns and Bills, the five-time Pro Bowler surpassed the 10,000 receiving yardage mark for his career on his way to 44 receptions for 547 yards and four touchdowns.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (18) goes up for the touchdown pass before falling on his back during second half action at the Bills home game against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Dec. 29, 2024. Reaching in unsuccessfully is New York Jets cornerback Brandin Echols (26).
Ultimately, Cooper may not be the superstar receiver that he once was, but he could have been a valuable addition to a Vikings offense that really only needs three quality games from a veteran receiver before Addison returns to the lineup.
Alas, Minnesota must keep looking after Cooper opted to head to Las Vegas.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
Josh Frey is a senior writer at both PurplePTSD.com and VikingsTerritory.com, with a fascination for the NFL Draft. To … More about Josh Frey
