Who Should I Start? Amari Cooper or Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Thursday, September 4, 2:14 PM

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper has informed the team that he intends to retire ahead of Week 1, citing a lack of desire to continue playing. Cooper, who joined the Raiders this offseason in hopes of competing for a starting role, was listed behind rookie Dont'e Thornton Jr. on the initial depth chart. The five-time Pro Bowler spent last season with the Browns and Bills, starting 10 of 14 games while recording 44 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns. Cooper leaves the NFL after a decorated career, finishing with over 10,000 receiving yards and 64 touchdowns across stops with the Raiders, Cowboys, Browns, and Bills. His departure opens additional opportunities for Thornton and fellow rookie Jack Bech to carve out meaningful roles in the Raiders' passing game this season.

Tuesday, November 4, 11:08 AM

The Pittsburgh Steelers officially signed wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to their practice squad on Tuesday, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. The 31-year-old held a depth role in San Francisco earlier this season, catching four of his eight targets for 40 yards in five games played. Valdes-Scantling has bounced around, with Pittsburgh marking his fourth team in two seasons. The veteran has been a useful player at nearly every stop of his career and now reunites with his former Green Bay Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, in Pittsburgh. Valdes-Scantling's most productive season in the NFL came back in 2020 with Rodgers, where he caught a career high six touchdowns and led the league with 20.9 yards per reception.