The Dallas Cowboys made waves this offseason when they acquired George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers to pair him with All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
While that addition addressed a major area of need for Dallas entering the 2025 season, the news hasn't been as promising for a recent starter who is still seeking employment in the NFL despite having an impressive resume of achievements to his name since turning pro.
With Thursday's surprising news that veteran Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams has elected to retire from the NFL at the age of 30, the opportunity the former Cowboys wideout is seeking may have just presented itself.
Former Cowboy Amari Cooper Could Sign Next After Big NFL Retirement
With Williams walking away from the game, the Chargers are in desperate need of a veteran wide receiver, and Amari Cooper could be exactly what the doctor ordered. While there is certainly talent in the WR room in Los Angeles, their new core of Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnson, and Tre Harris has little experience at the professional level.
Cooper could come in and be the stabilizing force needed in the locker room and on the field for Justin Herbert and this offense. If the former Cowboys starter could put up career-best numbers in receiving yards (1,250) and receiving touchdowns scored (9) in a single season as a member of the Cleveland Browns, imagine what he could do with competent quarterback play.
One look at the depth chart shows what the Chargers are facing without Williams on the roster. Johnson has been underwhelming since being a first-round pick in 2023. McConkey is coming off an impressive rookie season, but it's still too soon to make him a No. 1 option on a team with any plans of competing for a title. Lastly, Harris hasn't even signed his contract yet after being a second-round pick this past April.
These are all issues facing Jim Harbaugh and this offense ahead of training camp that he wanted no part in dealing with. Signing a veteran who has been part of winning cultures at the collegiate and professional levels will help steady this passing attack in the immediate future, and that has to be a primary concern entering camp.
Cooper could also serve as a mentor for these younger receivers as they work to not only acclimate themselves to what it takes to be consistently successful in the NFL, but also how to conduct themselves off the field.