Amari Cooper Says Mark Davis, Not Jon Gruden, Wanted to Trade Star WR

The Oakland Raiders have undergone a roster overhaul since hiring Jon Gruden in January, but as it turns out, the head coach reportedly hasn't been the one making all of the personnel decisions.

Ex-Oakland wideout Amari Cooper revealed to The Athletic's Calvin Watkins on Thursday that it was Raiders owner Mark Davis, not Gruden, who wanted to trade him. Per Watkins, teams offered Oakland 2020 first-round picks, but a deal was not made until the Dallas Cowboys put their 2019 first-rounder on the table.

However, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport disputed Cooper's claim, saying the receiver was "misinformed."

At the time of the trade, several Raiders players expressed their frustration with Gruden over the jettisoning of Cooper and Pro Bowl pass-rusher Khalil Mack.

"The Mack trade was a real stiff jab," a veteran Oakland player told The Athletic's Vic Tafur. "But the Cooper one was like a knockout punch, especially because we had just walked back in the door from the bye. We didn’t want to believe it was coming, and Coach said we weren’t going to trade him."

A 2015 first-round pick, Cooper currently has one more year remaining on his rookie deal. He will then be eligible for free agency if no extension is reached prior to the end of the 2019 season.

Dallas was initially met with some criticism for paying such a high price for Cooper. However, he has played a key role in helping the Cowboys take control of the NFC East.

After putting up just 280 yards and one touchdown in six games with the Raiders this season, Cooper has gone off for 40 receptions for 642 yards and six scores in six games with the Cowboys. That includes topping the 180-yard mark twice in the last three games. 

Cooper hauled in 10 catches for 217 yards and three touchdowns in a 29-23 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Eagles last week.

Dallas was 3-4 prior to acquiring Cooper and has gone 5-1 since the trade, riding a current five-game winning streak to the top of the NFC East.

Meanwhile, Oakland is 2-5 since the trade, averaging just 19.1 points per game. The team was held to six points or fewer in two of the first three games following the deal. But with the trades of Mack and Cooper, Gruden, Davis and Co. have set themselves up to rebuild through the draft.