According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, multiple teams pursued veteran wide receiver Amari Cooper, including the San Francisco 49ers. Ultimately, Cooper chose to sign a one-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Raiders are signing free-agent receiver Amari Cooper to a one-year deal, sources tell me and @tashanreed.
Cooper had interest from multiple teams, including the 49ers, but elects to sign with Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/VfHmo66Eqy
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) August 25, 2025
The news comes at a difficult time for San Francisco, whose wide receiver room is among the most banged-up in the NFL. Many believed the 49ers could add a proven playmaker like Cooper to stabilize the group. The team recently acquired Skyy Moore in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, but he is expected to contribute more on special teams than on offense.
Brandon Aiyuk is projected to start the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list as he recovers from ACL and MCL injuries. Jauan Jennings is battling a lingering calf injury, which coincidentally coincides with him seeking a new contract. While there is no timeline for his return, head coach Kyle Shanahan recently stated he hopes Jennings will be ready for Week 1.
Rookie Jordan Watkins is sidelined with a high-ankle sprain, second-year receiver Jacob Cowing tore his hamstring in practice, and Russell Gage is working through an MCL sprain. On top of that, the NFL suspended veteran newcomer Demarcus Robinson for the first three games of the season.
If Jennings is unavailable, second-year wideout Ricky Pearsall is expected to step into the WR1 role when the 49ers open the season against the Seattle Seahawks.
Meanwhile, the Raiders secure one of the league's most consistent receivers. Cooper, 30, has posted seven 1,000-yard campaigns across his 10 NFL seasons, with the most recent being in 2023.