The Buffalo Bills’ offseason has taken a dramatic turn, with five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper reportedly set to leave the team in a surprising move to join the Pittsburgh Steelers. After a midseason trade from the Cleveland Browns in 2024, Cooper was expected to be a game-changer for Josh Allen and the Bills’ offense. However, his lackluster performance and the latest predictions have sent shockwaves through the NFL, leaving Bills fans reeling and Steelers supporters buzzing with excitement.
A Disappointing Stint in Buffalo
When the Bills acquired Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns in October 2024, expectations were sky-high. The trade, which saw Buffalo send a 2025 third-round pick and a 2026 seventh-round pick to Cleveland in exchange for Cooper and a 2025 sixth-round pick, was seen as a bold move to bolster their receiving corps after trading away Stefon Diggs. Cooper, a proven veteran with a career total of 9,736 yards and 62 touchdowns, was expected to become Josh Allen’s go-to target and elevate the Bills to Super Bowl contention.
However, Cooper’s tenure in Buffalo fell short of expectations. In eight regular-season games with the Bills, he recorded just 20 receptions for 297 yards and two touchdowns, a stark contrast to his 1,250-yard Pro Bowl season with the Browns in 2023. His playoff performance was equally underwhelming, with only six receptions for 41 yards across three games. A wrist injury sustained in Week 8 against the Seattle Seahawks and limited targets—most notably a 14-target game against the Rams in Week 14 being an outlier—hampered his ability to make a significant impact. An unnamed Bills coach reportedly claimed Cooper was “done,” signaling a lack of confidence in his future with the team.
The Steelers: An Unexpected Destination
As Cooper approaches free agency in 2025, speculation about his next move has been rampant. While some analysts suggested he could return to Buffalo or join teams like the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, or Washington Commanders, a surprising prediction from FanSided’s Nick Villano has Cooper landing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. “We think that ‘someone’ will be the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s truly a perfect fit for player and team,” Villano wrote, highlighting the Steelers’ need for a second star wide receiver to complement George Pickens.
The Steelers, who have emerged as one of the NFL’s biggest surprises in 2024 with their strong play, are actively seeking to upgrade their receiving corps after missing out on top targets in the previous offseason. Cooper, despite his down year, brings elite route-running and a proven track record, making him an ideal fit alongside Pickens, Calvin Austin, and Roman Wilson. His addition could create a dynamic receiving room, especially if Pittsburgh opts to draft another weapon in 2025.
At 30 years old, Cooper is no longer the dominant No. 1 receiver he once was, but his experience and skill set make him a valuable asset for a Steelers team looking to contend in the competitive AFC North. The move would also mark a return to the division where Cooper spent over two seasons with the Browns, adding an intriguing layer to his career arc.
Why Leave Buffalo?
Cooper’s potential departure from Buffalo comes as no surprise given the team’s salary cap constraints and roster decisions. The Bills, with only $2.9 million in cap space prior to the 2024 trade, restructured Cooper’s contract to take on just $806,667 for the season, making him an affordable short-term addition. However, with Khalil Shakir recently signed to an extension and the addition of former Chargers receiver Joshua Palmer, Buffalo appears poised to move on, relying on younger talent like second-year pro Keon Coleman to fill the void.
Moreover, Cooper’s lack of chemistry with Josh Allen and his limited role in the offense—evidenced by his low target share in most games—suggests he was never fully integrated into the Bills’ system. The team’s “everybody eats” approach, which emphasizes spreading the ball among multiple receivers, didn’t align with Cooper’s skill set as a primary target. With Buffalo projected to prioritize the draft to address their receiver needs, letting Cooper walk could also factor into the compensatory pick formula if he signs a big deal elsewhere.
What This Means for the Steelers and the AFC
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, landing Cooper could be a game-changer. Pairing him with George Pickens would give quarterback Russell Wilson or Justin Fields a formidable duo, addressing a critical need in their offense. The Steelers’ interest in Cooper aligns with their aggressive approach to the 2025 offseason, as they aim to build on their surprising success and challenge top AFC contenders like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills.
For Buffalo, losing Cooper to an AFC rival like Pittsburgh would sting, especially after their investment in him. The Bills’ offense, while still potent with Josh Allen at the helm, has struggled with consistency in the passing game, ranking 25th in passing yards per game in 2024. Without a true No. 1 receiver, Buffalo may face an uphill battle in the playoffs, particularly against teams with stronger receiving corps.
A Career at a Crossroads
Amari Cooper’s move to Pittsburgh, if it materializes, could be the spark he needs to revive his career. His 2024 season was marred by a career-low 10.4 yards per catch and a league-worst nine drops, though some context points to Deshaun Watson’s poor performance in Cleveland as a factor. With a fresh start in Pittsburgh, Cooper has the chance to prove he’s still a top-tier weapon, especially in a system that values his route-running prowess.
As free agency approaches, the NFL world will be watching closely to see if Cooper indeed joins the Steelers or if another team swoops in. For now, his decision to “turn his back” on Buffalo marks a pivotal moment in his career and a potential shift in the AFC landscape.
Conclusion
Amari Cooper’s reported decision to spurn the Buffalo Bills for the Pittsburgh Steelers is a shocking twist in the 2025 offseason. While his time in Buffalo was underwhelming, his potential move to Pittsburgh offers a fresh opportunity to reclaim his status as an elite offensive star. For Bills fans, the loss is a bitter pill, but for Steelers Nation, it’s a reason to dream big for 2025. Will Cooper’s gamble pay off in the Steel City? Only time will tell, but this move has already set the NFL abuzz.