🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
The New York Jets enter the 2025-26 NFL season on the downswing and in need of more help, especially on the offensive end.
The team moved on from Aaron Rodgers and replaced him with Justin Fields, while also moving on from Rodgers's favorite receiver, Davante Adams, leaving Garrett Wilson to take over as the full-time top receiver.
It seems a youth movement is in order, leading to what could be a rough year for the men in green.
More NFL news: Shedeur Sanders Lost Substantial Money With Browns Contract
However, one free agent move could salvage things a bit on offense, and could be a sharp, valuable move to help out the offense.
That would be signing five-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper, who is surprisingly still just 30 years old, and just as surprisingly, is still a free agent at this point in the offseason.
According to Matt Bowen of ESPN, "There's a need for competition in the Jets' wide receiver room opposite of No. 1 option Garrett Wilson."
The Jets have solid running backs and Wilson on the perimeter, but are unproven regarding weapons otherwise. Barring a difficult-to-pull-off blockbuster trade, the best way the Jets can upgrade the offense and make things easier on the defensive-minded head coach, Aaron Glenn, is by bringing in more proven weapons.
Cooper fits that bill perfectly as a guy who is reliable and not too old, where he will struggle to find playing time as he declines in play.
The Jets could also benefit from his experience in the locker room in what is otherwise a young roster. Rodgers and Adams may have been more of a negative influence than a positive one, given some of the young players played worse after they arrived, but Cooper could serve as a more positive presence.
Cooper could also provide the Jets some insight on their divisional rival, the Buffalo Bills, after spending half a season with the team.
Cooper statistically had a down year last year, but that was more due to difficult circumstances than his actual play on the field.
He started off the season in Cleveland, which had a mess at the quarterback position, making it hard for any receiver to thrive. He then moved to Buffalo, which is one of the top teams in the NFL and had an established roster already in place. That made it hard for Cooper to break through, but he had his moments for them.
Even if Cooper struggles to play anywhere close to his Pro Bowl level from earlier in his career, his professionalism and experience could help the Jets and their young roster tremendously.
More NFL news:
John Elway's Business Partner Dies After Freak Golfing Accident Involving HoF QB
About the writer
Seth Quinn is a contributing sports writer based in Massachusetts. His focus is on sports, primarily the NFL and NBA. He has in depth ... Read more