The Buffalo Bills were in the receiver market this offseason, and brought in Joshua Palmer on a three-year deal to bring some much-needed speed to the offense.
With Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, and now Palmer, that is a solid quartet for Josh Allen and offensive coordinator Joe Brady to work with.
But Amari Cooper was looming in the background.
Acquired via trade in the middle of last season, Cooper never hit the ground running as injury halted him from doing anything productive. He finished with just 297 yards and two touchdowns from 20 receptions in the regular season and then just six catches for 41 yards in Buffalo's three playoff games.
So, a return seemed feasible for Buffalo. Get Cooper a full offseason with Allen and the offense to build that chemistry, and have a bounce-back year.
But don't expect it to happen now.
NBC's Matthew Berry, in responding to a post by Burgundy Blog, who thought Cooper to the Washington Commanders was a good fit, stated it's over for Amari.
"Amari is done," Berry posted. "That's not me talking. That's from an offensive coach of a former team of his I spoke to at the Combine."
That is quite the statement.
Cooper's former coach isn't known, but that is essentially shutting the door on Cooper as a fit in Buffalo.
Now, that's not saying a team won't take a chance, but it doesn't feel like Buffalo will be bringing Amari back, and considering how little he offered when he was available, the Bills might be better off leaving this alone.
Cooper still has the talent, no doubt, after all, his 1,250 yards in 2023 showed that, but a year is a long time in professional sports and after a down year with the Browns and then Bills, it appears Amari's time is up.
