Amari Cooper's NFL Retirement Discussed by Raiders' Carroll, 'The Timing Wasn't Right'

Las Vegas Raiders coach Pete Carroll said wide receiver Amari Cooper made the abrupt decision to retire because he "didn't feel like he was ready" for the 2025 season.

"The timing wasn't right for him. He didn't feel like he was ready to do it," Carroll said at the 14:00 mark of his Friday press conference. "He gave it a shot, and we gave him a shot, and much respect for him making that decision. So, wish him the best."

Cooper informed the Raiders of his intention to retire just days before Las Vegas was set to kick off the season Sunday against the New England Patriots, per ESPN's Ryan McFadden.

Cooper, who played the first four and a half seasons of his NFL career in Oakland, signed a one-year deal to return to the organization on Aug. 26.

The wide receiver said in his introductory press conference that he believed he had "unfinished business" with the Raiders.

Raiders general manager John Spytek meanwhile said the following day that the team's expectations for Cooper "will more than likely include him being a big part of the game plan in New England."

Carroll added on Aug. 28 that he hoped Cooper's presence could "balance out" the development of rookie wideouts Dont'e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech.

The first indication of Cooper might not be starting in Week 1 came on Tuesday, when the Raiders listed Thornton as the third starter alongside Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker in the team's first unofficial regular-season depth chart.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero later reported after Cooper's retirement announcement that he "had been struggling to ramp up since re-signing."

Cooper, who received a Pro Bowl nod as recently as 2023, turned 31 in June. He became a free agent last spring after recording a career-low 6.4 yards per target during a 2024 campaign split between the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills.

Given Meyers' recently denied and subsequently rescinded trade request, the pressure will be on Thornton and Bech to develop quickly now that Cooper is out of the picture.